tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13537309637553458172024-03-13T06:10:39.527-07:00Sundays in SuburbiaKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-24097086399251753602016-10-16T02:00:00.000-07:002016-10-16T02:00:15.464-07:00Keeping it Local...A combination of the dreaded bloggers block and a run of migraines/nasty headaches kept me away last week, but I'm back (hooray all 3 of you shout!). I've been spending a little more time around my local area again since the little man went back to school (and I've been out and about a little more since work has calmed down a bit in the last couple of weeks). I realised the other day that I rarely write about where I live and I tend to think of it as rather uninteresting, but that isn't actually true - I just need to make more of an effort to find (and make proper use of - remember <a href="http://www.justacard.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Just A Card</span></a> folks!) the good, small, local stuff.<br />
<br />
So this brings me to food.<br />
<br />
I actually now have a whole list of wonderful things in Wallington, Carshalton and Croydon to share with you but I'm going to start with a couple of places which are within walking distance of my home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0T8js22kiUw/V_uWSGkz3TI/AAAAAAAAEtI/dcOhX10VEtYdQyMHTcfATtqK7BiDhFH0ACLcB/s1600/IMG_1694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0T8js22kiUw/V_uWSGkz3TI/AAAAAAAAEtI/dcOhX10VEtYdQyMHTcfATtqK7BiDhFH0ACLcB/s640/IMG_1694.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
New in Carshalton is <a href="http://www.dottysteahouse.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Dotty's Teahouse</span></a>. I visited a couple of weeks ago for a meeting and it's now set to become the weekly pre-swimming cafe stop with the little man, as he's completely fallen for the place too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's a proper tea shop - pots, leaves and strainers, crumpets and Victoria sponge. Carshalton has quite a few cafes and when Dotty's opened I questioned whether it needed another, but this place is different. As well as gorgeous food and very nice tea they sell some vintage bits, pretty little girls dresses and all sorts and have an area for smaller children out the back. The staff are all dressed beautifully in 1950s style dresses. I basically want to go every day. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They've also just won Newcomer of the Year at the Surrey Life Food & Drink Awards - that and the fact it always seems to be busy, suggest I'm not the only one to love it! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Back in Wallington, we have somewhere that's been a favourite of mine for quite a while, <a href="http://www.the-brook.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">The Brook</span></a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oYUncDv4RBQ/V_uXlFw7dVI/AAAAAAAAEtU/sh1Ghw-EFG8niDu5Rfqr5sPs_pakzEjhwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oYUncDv4RBQ/V_uXlFw7dVI/AAAAAAAAEtU/sh1Ghw-EFG8niDu5Rfqr5sPs_pakzEjhwCLcB/s640/IMG_1581.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
The Brook isn't just a cafe - although the food is fab - they've just gone over to a fully vegan menu which I'm yet to try but I will soon (even though I'm a confirmed meat eater!). I have held two exhibitions of my work at The Brook, I've been to gigs, I've been in the evening for drinks and cocktails and taken the little man there for chocolate cake.<br />
<br />
So rather than just a cafe, it's more of an arts venue - they have a recording studio there, regular weekly events (like a choir which I'd love to join but my childcare arrangements don't allow me to - maybe they will one day). They also have open mic evenings, ukulele nights, a book club and lots more. The back room can be set up as a cinema and they do parties... The list goes on. A lovely atmosphere and run by wonderful people who love their local community. They're <a href="http://www.the-brook.co.uk/help-us-grow/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">currently doing a bit of crowdfunding</span></a> to enable them to do more.<br />
<br />
So the very furthest reaches of South London aren't quite as much of a desert as you may think...<br />
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-20272817432505648092016-09-25T02:00:00.000-07:002016-09-25T02:00:08.871-07:00Bye Bye KittyOn 1 September we said goodbye to our beloved cat St John. He joined us from the Cat's Protection League in 2011 when he was 18 months old and was just one of the loveliest cats ever (even if he didn't really do laps, or let you pick him up!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Hrx0Ne3gjU/V-EE-1KXbCI/AAAAAAAAEss/zMHyR4DoX-QVNAdOX8gSawTOjT1FIShMACLcB/s1600/St%2BJohn%2BShowing%2Boff%2Bhis%2Bbelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Hrx0Ne3gjU/V-EE-1KXbCI/AAAAAAAAEss/zMHyR4DoX-QVNAdOX8gSawTOjT1FIShMACLcB/s640/St%2BJohn%2BShowing%2Boff%2Bhis%2Bbelly.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
He came as a set with his sister Mia (who we called Beany - not sure why but we did) - she was killed by a fox when we still lived in Tooting but St John kept on going for another 7 1/2 years. He had hyperthyroidism for his last 4, but coped well with it. He was too old and frail to undergo the invasive treatments and we were actually surprised he lasted so long. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here he is at his fattest (before his illness made him very skinny)...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVwUavJLkXk/V-EFjBuDY3I/AAAAAAAAEsw/j3uWxoHf5qE-78II_qAVQMAZCCoAYXbiwCLcB/s1600/DSC_1098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVwUavJLkXk/V-EFjBuDY3I/AAAAAAAAEsw/j3uWxoHf5qE-78II_qAVQMAZCCoAYXbiwCLcB/s640/DSC_1098.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The hardest part for me was having to make the decision to say goodbye. I know it was the right one but I did beat myself up a lot for a couple of weeks. We've now had St John's ashes back and have scattered them in the garden he loved so much. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ra8X3FfN0N0/V-EF13FltyI/AAAAAAAAEs0/XsYoTDlhkx4O7uNj7-HRpP0DJx4AmehlQCLcB/s1600/DSC_4414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ra8X3FfN0N0/V-EF13FltyI/AAAAAAAAEs0/XsYoTDlhkx4O7uNj7-HRpP0DJx4AmehlQCLcB/s640/DSC_4414.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So the little man is after a kitten, but St John's (new) sister Tabitha - who has been with us for 7 years - seems to remarkably happy with the turn of events and is actually a lot calmer and quieter than she was before (I often joke that she's the world's noisiest cat - she just goes on and on and on...). So we're going to see how it goes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Farewell St John. You were fab xxx</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-24139977635545353542016-09-18T02:00:00.000-07:002016-09-18T02:00:37.952-07:00A Day Out in Kings Cross...Not something I would've expected to be doing 20 years ago.. especially with a 6 year old. Kings Cross really did used to be a place you went to in order to catch a train and then left as quickly as possible. But the renovated St Pancras Station and the new Kings Cross have helped to change the area and I decided it was about time I had a proper explore.<br />
<br />
I'd spotted <a href="http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/reserves/camley-street-natural-park" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Camley Street Nature Park</span></a> when out on a work related errand a year or so ago, so that was our first stop on our end of the summer holidays trip. We arrived at about 10.30am and had the place to ourselves for the first half an hour or so!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OIHnYaSiXbU/V9f0U3TJNhI/AAAAAAAAEsA/21Jb5oI6OS8p_YhenFV6mARxwvJmj7W_QCLcB/s1600/IMG_1379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OIHnYaSiXbU/V9f0U3TJNhI/AAAAAAAAEsA/21Jb5oI6OS8p_YhenFV6mARxwvJmj7W_QCLcB/s640/IMG_1379.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L4beqFRBVHA/V9f0Z2qnr0I/AAAAAAAAEsE/wX0Vo0_KPEc9CXwf6HAP9RDINAEHwEUuACLcB/s1600/IMG_1375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L4beqFRBVHA/V9f0Z2qnr0I/AAAAAAAAEsE/wX0Vo0_KPEc9CXwf6HAP9RDINAEHwEUuACLcB/s640/IMG_1375.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Camley Street Nature Park is run by the <a href="http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/reserves/camley-street-natural-park" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">London Wildlife Trust</span></a> and is a quite remarkable haven in the middle of Kings Cross. Bordered by a road (and then the mainline from St Pancras) on one side and the Regents Canal on the other, it fills a little slither of land. Other than the occasional siren, sound from building sites and the trains you really could be in the countryside. The little man had a go at pond dipping and we tried to find some stag beetles (which we see quite often around here but I think they were all asleep in their log piles at the park that day!). We saw lots of wildfowl too including the family of swans in the image above.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vFkPraOlMas/V9f1TO-4NWI/AAAAAAAAEsI/zDlae3YkWPUkGH5LykYMt8XXmWmHZYoHACLcB/s1600/IMG_1366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vFkPraOlMas/V9f1TO-4NWI/AAAAAAAAEsI/zDlae3YkWPUkGH5LykYMt8XXmWmHZYoHACLcB/s640/IMG_1366.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oa5MdczAhhg/V9f1a16WIqI/AAAAAAAAEsM/Y3etyEfjVsU6ov7WC9QhBNUqPuIhhAsmgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oa5MdczAhhg/V9f1a16WIqI/AAAAAAAAEsM/Y3etyEfjVsU6ov7WC9QhBNUqPuIhhAsmgCLcB/s640/IMG_1361.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After tea and cake at the park's cafe, we headed out and over to Granary Square...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YHovG6kgcK0/V9f1zg7hDqI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/StrcMBKxjKwTgID81blRjvvAdnRdoTKPQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YHovG6kgcK0/V9f1zg7hDqI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/StrcMBKxjKwTgID81blRjvvAdnRdoTKPQCLcB/s640/IMG_1384.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Central St Martins moved to Granary Square a few years ago now (I always dreamt of going to college there...) and new students were heading in to register when we visited. The little man was more interested in the mesmerising fountains out the front though, and complained that I'd failed to bring a change of clothes so he could go in them (the weather turned out to be warmer than I'd expected!). He watched some other children getting wet for a while before we walked around the corner to the <a href="http://www.houseofillustration.org.uk/home" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">House of Illustration</span></a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The <a href="http://www.houseofillustration.org.uk/home" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">House of Illustration</span></a> is a lovely little gallery devoted (as you may expect) to illustration. The main exhibition at the moment is of Quentin Blake's illustrations for the BFG - which was apt as we'd been to see the film the previous week. The little man had fun creating some Quentin Blake inspired drawings of his own as there was a lovely big activity table in the gallery for children. The second exhibition was on Russian children's book illustrations but sadly by this point the little man was getting grumpy so I didn't get as good a look around as I've liked.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NozX76a0zbU/V9f3gEHiIbI/AAAAAAAAEsY/sSo0Eo2hVP01laRE_2i-673aTwxQm5g6wCLcB/s1600/IMG_1406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NozX76a0zbU/V9f3gEHiIbI/AAAAAAAAEsY/sSo0Eo2hVP01laRE_2i-673aTwxQm5g6wCLcB/s640/IMG_1406.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our last stop on the way to Euston Road for a late lunch (yep, Pizza Express again, who am I to argue?) was the glowing tunnel leading from the Granary Square entrance into Kings Cross Station. I had to stand there for a few minutes to get a shot without anyone in it! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So a good time was had by all. We'll definitely be heading back to Camley Street and I'm even considering joining the <a href="http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">London Wildlife Trust</span></a> as it turns out there are more places to visit which I didn't know about!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span id="goog_1029343966"></span><span id="goog_1029343967"></span><br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-67269204146275130562016-09-11T02:00:00.000-07:002016-09-11T02:00:40.609-07:00Eight Weeks of Summer...I'm back! Well, I haven't really been that far but it's been eight whole weeks since I last posted here. I had an ideas drought but I also had the summer holidays to contend with (which allowing for inset days were seven WHOLE WEEKS - I now need a holiday). I've not been sitting still though, three posts a week for <a href="http://www.madebymrsm.co.uk/" target="_blank">Made By Mrs M</a> and one for <a href="http://www.justacard.org/blog" target="_blank">Just A Card</a>, together with finalising and launching my new collection (and everything which goes with that) and preparing for three big (for me) events (the first of which is happening as this post goes live) have kept me pretty busy, when I only had five days of childcare in seven weeks...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5_cLV9Tq74/V85zfsfCP7I/AAAAAAAAErs/cHATOfvIs-URJeyNP8SONG7hQ7aVUcrqQCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5_cLV9Tq74/V85zfsfCP7I/AAAAAAAAErs/cHATOfvIs-URJeyNP8SONG7hQ7aVUcrqQCLcB/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_657309174"></span><span id="goog_657309175"></span><br />
<br />
Anyway! I may still be busy but I suddenly had a rush of inspiration to head back over here and I have lots of lovely posts planned for you (in my head at least). We got up to quite a lot over the summer including trips to the South of France and Barcelona (I could write a whole series of posts about the small boy's behaviour in Barcelona - maybe I should as it'd get it out of my system and make me consider taking him away again one day - or maybe not), we also had lots of days out here in the UK and spent time with family and friends.<br />
<br />
For now I'll <a href="http://www.instagram.com/sundaysinsuburbia" target="_blank">send you in the direction of my Instagram</a> (which I haven't taken a break from - it's too addictive - even though the new algorithm means my posts are seen by one man and his dog, and I get lots of new followers to both accounts who then leave immediately, but hey) and I'll be back with something more substantive next week!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-65112859647551585102016-07-17T02:00:00.000-07:002016-07-17T02:00:14.406-07:00Walking through the lavender...I'm back after a forced IT related break last week... To be honest I've hit another blogger's block so I'd been struggling to know what to write about anyway! Last Sunday we made our annual pilgrimage to the lavender field which is a 5 minute drive from our house. Here it is...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2JYdFV1iHis/V4Ohr2FRo-I/AAAAAAAAErA/iSo6FX178m4ze9MkmvGdo7xpJSLH2zjHgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2JYdFV1iHis/V4Ohr2FRo-I/AAAAAAAAErA/iSo6FX178m4ze9MkmvGdo7xpJSLH2zjHgCLcB/s640/IMG_9777.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you're in South London/North East Surrey a trip to <a href="http://www.mayfieldlavender.com/" target="_blank">Mayfield Lavender</a> is (it would seem) a must - it gets busier every year. We first visited when they opened in 2006 and have been visiting ever since (we didn't live as close back then). To begin with it was just a field you could walk in and purchase a bunch of lavender and some oil, now it's quite the commercial operation with 2 separate places to get a snack, a proper (albeit open air) shop selling lavender products and plants, plus tractor rides for the little ones. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I attempted a little video (from which you can hear that it was pretty busy!). Sorry for holding my phone the wrong way (awaits audible sigh from Mr M...)!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz43DBfwItZw_Mdsl9THBVl4JQB-tnhCb2MoSe2Jal80KpTR7JxJT44dd2fEAgt9M77TDCghcsoD_yWLChHPw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I may have only managed one short post in a fortnight, but things may be a little more sporadic around here over the next few weeks of the school holidays... You never know though I may find myself massively inspired and blog more than usual, but let's wait and see. Keep your fingers crossed for some decent weather! </div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-87403974335081262992016-07-03T02:00:00.001-07:002016-07-03T02:00:08.853-07:00Some positive thingsThis is actually the second attempt at a post for this week. My original one (written a couple of days before I wrote this) was a self indulgent, depressingly bleak ramble about the future of the country and how the world is basically ending...<br />
<br />
I think I may have reached the next stage in the post-referendum grieving process now though and made the decision to delete the post. It just made me feel properly miserable again, and felt so melodramatic (note for my friends: yes, even more melodramatic than usual). So, I've decided on a change of theme.<br />
<br />
If it weren't for the bad news, this week would've been pretty good. So. I'm going to make a list of positive things that've happened and stuff I'm looking forward to...<br />
<br />
1. I went to Tooting this morning. Unless you know me well, you'll think that listing this is odd. I used to live there and I miss it quite a bit. Other positive here is that I was visiting to deliver a wholesale order to a new stockist. In fact <a href="http://www.madebymrsm.co.uk/stockists/" target="_blank">I have 2 new stockists this week</a> - this deserves it's own item number really.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2Jt6gs5kBE/V3ULQoigdtI/AAAAAAAAEqg/lp5DtCq5rqMQAUCm9GSgDE_vzTRAGwZnwCLcB/s1600/IMG_5958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2Jt6gs5kBE/V3ULQoigdtI/AAAAAAAAEqg/lp5DtCq5rqMQAUCm9GSgDE_vzTRAGwZnwCLcB/s640/IMG_5958.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. The blog post I wrote on Monday (<a href="http://www.madebymrsm.co.uk/blog/2016/6/27/taking-actions-from-blogtacular" target="_blank">on my other blog</a>) received such a fab response and I've had lots of lovely people approaching me, wanting to collaborate. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. Also on the topic of <a href="http://blogtacular.com/" target="_blank">Blogtacular</a> (which the post above was about), I've won a 1-2-1 coaching session with the founder, Kat Molesworth. So if this doesn't get me out of the doldrums, nothing will.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. I was also one of the 9 winners of this week's #sgiew (So Good in Every Way - <a href="http://www.madebymrsm.co.uk/blog/2016/6/15/so-good-in-every-way-sgiew" target="_blank">I wrote about it here</a>). This week's winning grid as selected by <a href="http://nikkimcwilliams.com/" target="_blank">Nikki McWilliams</a> is here... (mine is on the right in the middle row - party rings and jammy dodgers).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSzkXz9Ul2E/V3UMOKBQs_I/AAAAAAAAEqs/vl-6L7foHDIAanE1H9nxd5zDx25lMnLrwCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSzkXz9Ul2E/V3UMOKBQs_I/AAAAAAAAEqs/vl-6L7foHDIAanE1H9nxd5zDx25lMnLrwCLcB/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5. I had a lovely, spontaneous trip to Tate Britain with <a href="http://bugsandfishes.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">my blogging friend Laura</a> on Wednesday - we both needed cheering up. One of the best things was that we only planned it on Tuesday afternoon (spontaneous rarely happens when you have children). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
6. Mr M bought me the best set of oil paints, a table easel, paper etc on eBay and it's just arrived today. I'm planning to get on with trying them out ASAP. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
7. I've had lots of other lovely post this week too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And to look forward to...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. Summer holidays - yes weeks to fill with the little man, I'm actually looking forward to it and to escaping (and hopefully getting some sunshine at some point!).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. Visiting the Art Deco stations on the Piccadilly Line on Saturday (<a href="http://www.madebymrsm.co.uk/blog/2016/6/3/art-deco-london-and-a-tube-geek-confession" target="_blank">you're very welcome to join us - see here for info</a>). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. Pressing go on my new collection (although I am a little nervous and holding back on this, as sales have pretty much stopped since the vote last week, and I'm wondering how long this will last). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. Another <a href="http://www.madebymrsm.co.uk/blog/2015/09/02/shoe-decoupage" target="_blank">decoupage workshop with Gabriela Szulman</a> (I'm going to make a tray).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5. Going to see the Pixies!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So plenty of stuff. Plenty of yoga and gardening and sewing too of course...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-6290497766463383852016-06-26T02:00:00.000-07:002016-06-26T02:00:16.726-07:00On being afraid...I've really struggled to come up with a post for this blog this week as my thoughts are so totally occupied wth the EU Referendum. Today (as I write this) is Thursday so I've voted but don't currently know the outcome. Like so many, I'm afraid of what it will be and the dramatic effect it may have upon me and my family's lives if the result is leave. By the time you're reading this, we'll know (I really dislike uncertainty - has to be the biggest cause of anxiety).<br />
<br />
Rather than going on about this, or trying to come up with something cheerful to write about when I really can't, I thought I'd just share a little hand lettering I did earlier in the week - mainly to cheer myself up. Feeling positive about the legacy of the murdered MP Jo Cox and hoping people take her words to their hearts - and extending this beyond the EU to everyone in the world which seems to be such a scary place at the moment.<br />
<br />
So remember this folks, and try to be kind to one another...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ut32IVEE5dk/V2uekopQLXI/AAAAAAAAEp8/1HAZv0ePdfsBW46JAneDyiBPSZrSzozxACLcB/s1600/United%2B-%2BLettering_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ut32IVEE5dk/V2uekopQLXI/AAAAAAAAEp8/1HAZv0ePdfsBW46JAneDyiBPSZrSzozxACLcB/s640/United%2B-%2BLettering_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-4838192157775930702016-06-19T02:00:00.000-07:002016-06-19T02:00:22.398-07:00Mornings... and Happy Fathers Day!As you read this (if it's still Sunday morning), I am probably on my third coffee. This is a mistake and I know it but yesterday was Blogtacular (so a very busy, exciting day with a very early start) and today is Father's Day (so a very busy, exciting day for the little man, with a very early start). I'm lucky that Mr M is a morning person - which I most definitely am not... Most of the time I don't have to get up like this, but today I do and last week was mega busy. As I type this I'm fairly certain I'm struggling to function on Sunday morning.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LV-TFhTmDj8/V1617ajMRUI/AAAAAAAAEps/lmnQ87D_wb0BSS7sTYFpjfRcxVq5pVGkwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LV-TFhTmDj8/V1617ajMRUI/AAAAAAAAEps/lmnQ87D_wb0BSS7sTYFpjfRcxVq5pVGkwCLcB/s640/IMG_6006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Naively, when the little man was a baby, I thought I might become a morning person... Parents have to get used to never having enough sleep (and in my case the quality is never good - even if I get a lie in, he's making a racket downstairs, and I wake at the tiniest sound in the night, and struggle to get back to sleep), but no. If anything I find mornings even harder now than I used to. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I should probably give up wine and start going to bed at 9pm every night, but that's not very sociable (or realistic), and anyway on the rare occasions I do do this, I don't wake any more refreshed - it's still as if I'm being pulled kicking and screaming from the womb...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cool morning showers don't work, 2 coffees kind of do - number 3 wakes me up but makes me feel really weird (and wired) for the whole day, and affects my sleep that night (even if they were all before lunch). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not sure what the answer is. On mornings like this it's not as if I can do some yoga or go for a run - make the most of the time - as I have the little man with me. So, as you read this (on Sunday morning), I'm probably flicking through twitter and instagram while absentmindedly watching Paw Patrol or Horrible Histories. I won't be doing anything useful - just feeling exhausted and miserable. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'll also be trying to persuade him not to make too much noise and wake Daddy up on Father's Day. This is tricky as he's prone to tantrums and the cafe (where he will want to go) won't be open yet as it's Sunday. We'll probably have a card or present to get ready for Daddy, but that won't take 5 minutes and I expect he'll be grumpy about doing that anyway...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Right. Let's see if I'll be in bed by 9pm tonight... And once the whole house is up I'm sure we'll have a lovely day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Father's Day to all the fab Daddy's everywhere - especially those who usually do these painful mornings! </div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-63316239199939571692016-06-12T02:00:00.000-07:002016-06-12T02:00:14.028-07:00The Summer Throat...At the end of May/beginning of June last year I developed a really bad sore throat - searingly bad. Initially I assumed it was a cold as I was a bit sneezy and had a headache too, but after a couple of days they'd gone and so had my voice.<br />
<br />
I had about a week with pretty much no voice at all - which is really tricky with a young child about - having to speak to him constantly, repeating everything (and shout down the street after him when he ran away/shot off in the wrong direction) caused me to strain my throat further and it just got worse. When the voice came back I sounded like Joan Rivers after a string of smoky nights out and every word hurt. This lasted for 6 weeks - really taking the edge of Blogtacular and several other events, as well as leaving me feeling quite ill and drained. Doctor said it was laryngitis and I just had to take plenty of fluids, paracetamol and rest my voice (hilarious)!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qOGHq1PxtE/V1aDckIiF5I/AAAAAAAAEpY/BDigwMDXOq4BkrVv9zc77Xm65179hSj1QCLcB/s1600/IMG_8619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qOGHq1PxtE/V1aDckIiF5I/AAAAAAAAEpY/BDigwMDXOq4BkrVv9zc77Xm65179hSj1QCLcB/s640/IMG_8619.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So eventually it went and my voice recovered fully (although there were times where I really thought it wouldn't), but as I type this, at pretty much exactly the same time as last year - give or take a week - it seems to be back. Obviously this makes me want to cry - I'm running a workshop next week, I have Blogtacular again - I really don't want everything to be spoilt for two years in a row....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But, as I sit here consuming as many fluids as possible, I'm wondering if this might just be hayfever again - it's exactly the same time and exactly the same sore throat (so the Piriton is out even if I'm not convinced it's working). I'm certain if it is it's not caused by the lovely flowers above (from my garden) - my main bout of hayfever is usually in May and that's passed - I think that's caused by one particular type of tree pollen and once it's done it's done. So now I feel I need to try and work this one out too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I came across this rather fab and useful <a href="http://zirtek.co.uk/hayfever/pollen_calendar" target="_blank">pollen calendar</a> from Zirtek, which makes me think that the May tree thing might be Birch (as it's pretty much always over by June). but now, in South London, I'm assuming it's grass as nothing else around here is in it's "peak period of pollen release". But maybe not, it might be something else. I've had all sorts of newfound allergies since the little man came along (thanks for that - I was always very happy with my allergy free status). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The site also helpfully tells me that today the pollen count for the South East is very high, which may go some way to explaining why it's struck this morning. Needless to say I need to save my voice for next week, so I won't be picking up the phone to anyone today, and if the postman calls he'll be getting a smile and a nod rather than a "thank you", as I need to save my voice for a small boy who expects me to repeat every single thing I say 10 times... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I put an anguished call out for hayfever relief tips on Instagram and received some brilliant ones - Antihistamines (yep) and nasal sprays, local honey - apparently it has to be local, showering in the evening before bed and changing bedding (especially pillows covers), not drying bedding outside as it picks up the pollen, dusting with damp dusters and keeping windows closed. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Any other tips to add folks? </div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-89210961621292449222016-06-05T02:00:00.000-07:002016-06-05T02:00:20.727-07:00Shoreditch, Hoxton and an unexpected garden...Last Sunday we popped up into town as I wanted to take the boys to see the <a href="http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/" target="_blank">Geffrye Museum</a> (which I'd only been to to have a stall at Crafty Fox Market, so I hadn't visited properly either).<br />
<br />
The Geffrye is the Museum of the Home, and it charts the history of middle class homes with fab room sets and displays. Mr M loved it, the little man loved the room sets and I thought it was pretty wonderful too. So that was all good, but then we stepped out into the garden...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0l2wfsQSN-M/V02v5ufSgtI/AAAAAAAAEoc/f1Hj4BTUMjgUrlHx-Jc7BugPlrKvm7wqwCLcB/s1600/IMG_5280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0l2wfsQSN-M/V02v5ufSgtI/AAAAAAAAEoc/f1Hj4BTUMjgUrlHx-Jc7BugPlrKvm7wqwCLcB/s640/IMG_5280.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The museum's herb and cottage garden is just one of the most beautiful I've seen - really fragrant (the roses are just amazing) and in such a brilliant spot - sandwiched between the museum itself and Hoxton Overground station. The museum is amazing but the garden is worth a visit on it's own too. Almost (but not quite) making up for my failure to go to the Chelsea Flower Show!<br />
<br />
Here's one of my favourite room sets (with a bowl identical to one of mine on the table - it's by Catherine Holm).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YiJdVBGpxDY/V02wa7EhK6I/AAAAAAAAEog/yQhAlEYzmWY8u2vkZVtlnW2NMQSvZMzHwCLcB/s1600/IMG_5279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YiJdVBGpxDY/V02wa7EhK6I/AAAAAAAAEog/yQhAlEYzmWY8u2vkZVtlnW2NMQSvZMzHwCLcB/s640/IMG_5279.JPG" width="610" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And more from the garden...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8wU1okDM7E/V02wjMpySdI/AAAAAAAAEoo/bkWup_e9Qk87Ifqlqd673VN1fPWUHNd7wCLcB/s1600/IMG_5284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8wU1okDM7E/V02wjMpySdI/AAAAAAAAEoo/bkWup_e9Qk87Ifqlqd673VN1fPWUHNd7wCLcB/s640/IMG_5284.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qGWfhyo62ec/V02woNwl07I/AAAAAAAAEos/gW7W71IS34ohyhdqv3zmfHvf6Lbdl6QewCLcB/s1600/IMG_5282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qGWfhyo62ec/V02woNwl07I/AAAAAAAAEos/gW7W71IS34ohyhdqv3zmfHvf6Lbdl6QewCLcB/s640/IMG_5282.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qQ_FFR21l8/V02wsuVFEOI/AAAAAAAAEow/t3APEWiovtIj6kvri0B3_1of5o9UdUy5QCLcB/s1600/IMG_5285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qQ_FFR21l8/V02wsuVFEOI/AAAAAAAAEow/t3APEWiovtIj6kvri0B3_1of5o9UdUy5QCLcB/s640/IMG_5285.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We took the opportunity to walk back down to Shoreditch and called in at Arnold Circus on the way. Arnold Circus was the first ever social housing, built in 1900 - I saw a brilliant programme about it on TV a few years ago and really wanted to take a look.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-msIh0U8A0tc/V02xGy6L-tI/AAAAAAAAEo4/LywpPKM-6WQcvcU0fDyjrYaBJVNn1bFYwCLcB/s1600/IMG_5287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-msIh0U8A0tc/V02xGy6L-tI/AAAAAAAAEo4/LywpPKM-6WQcvcU0fDyjrYaBJVNn1bFYwCLcB/s640/IMG_5287.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Followed by some general colour spotting fun in Shoreditch itself before collapsing onto the train to come home. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQvuqX9gWKI/V02xV_e2CHI/AAAAAAAAEpA/KZygp01b4VIQw6EV4co3B-N-n4U_PSGOACLcB/s1600/IMG_5281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQvuqX9gWKI/V02xV_e2CHI/AAAAAAAAEpA/KZygp01b4VIQw6EV4co3B-N-n4U_PSGOACLcB/s640/IMG_5281.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pxfjm_b8WRg/V02xaSlBnAI/AAAAAAAAEpE/yuArufxVbgsK-ZnMYvv9kEqX0eK1WL9YgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pxfjm_b8WRg/V02xaSlBnAI/AAAAAAAAEpE/yuArufxVbgsK-ZnMYvv9kEqX0eK1WL9YgCLcB/s640/IMG_5283.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Find out more about the <a href="http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/" target="_blank">Geffrye Museum on their website</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-39862478976135665732016-05-29T02:00:00.000-07:002016-05-29T02:00:28.948-07:00If you go down to the woods...Now, I'm constantly going on about how much I love the seaside (and visit year round), I also have quite a thing for mountains (I've climbed Snowdon and still have plans for more when the little man's older), but I tend to forget all about woodlands.<br />
<br />
I suspect this may be because we don't have any woods to speak of here, and it's been nearly 30 years since I lived around the corner from any. But those I did live around the corner from then were pretty fab. Last weekend we managed to combine a trip to the beach with a walk in those very woods...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxY6EBX91Pc/V0L1sLR_JPI/AAAAAAAAEoA/tDoLaLmoXsYjHMe_eJmHwO2jEORKFmjCQCLcB/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxY6EBX91Pc/V0L1sLR_JPI/AAAAAAAAEoA/tDoLaLmoXsYjHMe_eJmHwO2jEORKFmjCQCLcB/s640/Image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So the woods were a 5 minute walk (for a toddler) from our house until I was 6, but after we moved a little further away they were still 5 minutes from my Nan's bungalow, so we visited often. It's a pretty sizeable wood with a great range of trees and a beautiful carpet of bluebells in the spring (which had just about finished last week). There are hilly bits to scramble down and a stream to get wet and muddy in and they're pretty much my idea of the perfect wood. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I used to just pop down there with my Mum, but frequently with my grandparents too - when we went through their old photos after my Nan died last year we found quite a few of us in the woods, and they brought back really happy memories of cool walks on hot days and collecting bits and bobs from the leaf litter. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Unfortunately the Great Storm of 1987 (which we called the Hurricane at the time, but Mr M absolutely forbids me from referring to it as this "because it's wrong"!) the woods were really badly hit. I recall crying a lot. We couldn't get in there for ages because all the paths were blocked and by the time we could it was just barren and bare, a completely different place. Every time we drove past the woods in the next 18 months before we moved away I felt a slightly nauseous pang, and I'd try not to look - even writing about it now makes me feel sad. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My previous visit before last weekend was with my parents in the mid 1990s - it'd been tidied up a lot - boardwalks built on the boggy areas by the stream, and lots of new trees planted. It felt optimistic but not really like my woods. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-biQWaFijFAQ/V0L3QK1219I/AAAAAAAAEoM/hoohgmmCjhg3J8ayAa0MfjN8cWJH1NFkACLcB/s1600/IMG_8351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-biQWaFijFAQ/V0L3QK1219I/AAAAAAAAEoM/hoohgmmCjhg3J8ayAa0MfjN8cWJH1NFkACLcB/s640/IMG_8351.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When our drive back from the seaside unexpectedly took us right by them I made Mr M stop and go for a stroll - I don't think he was that keen - little man was being a bit of a pain and he just wanted to get home. But stop we did. The little man loved the fact that they were the woods I played in as a child and that I felt so happy there - oh and as you can see it's growing back pretty well. Almost feels like it used to. There were plenty of bits I didn't recognise, but then we'd turn a corner and see a view I knew very well. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, this city girl likes the sea, the mountains, and the woods (yet to develop a passion for fields but maybe that's my teens spent in Lincolnshire!). I'm now on a mission to find some to visit closer to home, but we'll be popping back to my woods the next time we pass through (whether the boys like it or not!).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-69138129100701839932016-05-22T02:00:00.000-07:002016-05-22T02:00:00.142-07:00The Recovering Magazine AddictI've had a lifelong love affair with magazines. So extreme at times it may be surprising that I didn't decide to go and work in the industry... I did have a zine of my own in junior school (I think what would now be year 6) - it was a fashion magazine - only the one copy, hand drawn by me and then passed around my friends (this was 1988, so just printing a few out at home wasn't an option).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owkSC_ozhEA/Vzsaof06M7I/AAAAAAAAEnw/cpqtMLYjUNwxvKDVETz71z7vsshVrRn7gCLcB/s1600/IMG_8239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owkSC_ozhEA/Vzsaof06M7I/AAAAAAAAEnw/cpqtMLYjUNwxvKDVETz71z7vsshVrRn7gCLcB/s640/IMG_8239.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The first magazines I remember getting really excited about were Just Seventeen and Smash Hits (probably around about the same time). I used to read my Mum's as well - mostly Ideal Home and Bella, but the obsession got a little out of hand when I was about 12 and discovered Vogue...<br />
<br />
Then Harpers & Queen (now Bazaar) and basically anything glossy. At one stage I had 6 years worth of Vogue magazines in my bedroom (ostensibly for research, college sketchbooks - and they were used for this - but mainly because I couldn't let go). I also had years' worth of Melody Maker and NME (when they were in the old newspaper format). I recall moving house with my parents when I was 19 and my boyfriend (now husband) driving me down to the nearest recycling bins to get rid of them all - they obviously meant a lot as I remember this vividly!<br />
<br />
Post the move I kept buying them though, but as I left home a few months later I didn't accumulate that many. When we got to London I ended up taking over the bottom shelf of the bookcase in our tiny living room with more Vogue, Living Etc and basically anything glossy or interesting - there were a few short-run zines in there and expensive things on interesting nice smelling papers.<br />
<br />
On to the next flat and I started clearing out a bit as I went along (every 6 months or so). Vogue was a given, and Bazaar, In Style, Red, Zest, Runners World...<br />
<br />
Then the little man came along - I kept buying the magazines for a while then realised I wasn't reading them. Not easy to read with a baby stuck to your boob - and that's the only time you actually have spare time (when you're not too tired to manage a magazine!), he got a little older though and Mollie Makes came along. A bit of a revelation - a craft magazine that was actually nice and had some things I'd like to make in it. I'd recently been doing some knitting and had started sewing and generally being more creative again so that was fab.<br />
<br />
Guess what I did with Mollie Makes though? Yep, hoarded several years' worth - it's OK they made it to the recycling a few months ago, but not before I'd been through every copy just in case! Now I have a few favourites but I'm not currently subscribing to any (this still feels strange as I've been a long term magazine subscriber). Mollie is still one of my favourites but I also like a bit more of a read so Oh Comley, Caboodle, Frankie (shown above), Betty and Uppercase are all magazines I keep an eye out for. Mollie Makes is about as exotic as it gets where I live but I did find Frankie in Sutton the other day (I nearly fell over!).<br />
<br />
So, I think I'm managing the addiction quite well? Quality over quantity - something good to read that isn't totally out of fashion a few months down the line. All the magazines above tend to smell good - and are either small or independent which makes me feel good about buying them*.<br />
<br />
Are you a magazine addict too? Anything I've not included on my list which you think I'd like, or should I just stop and reign myself in now...?<br />
<br />
I've recently had an idea kicking around in my head for a new zine (better than my 1988 effort but not full on magazine - simple and small and cheap - the true spirit of the zine!), however I suspect that's the role of blogs like this one now - my magazine (and it takes up a lot less shelf space).<br />
<br />
*Oh, and I do still hoard any magazines I'm featured in - you have to! Everything else goes in the recycling after a few months though...Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-42467953325839980242016-05-15T02:00:00.000-07:002016-05-15T02:00:02.486-07:00Sticking with the YogaI though I owed you an update as a few weeks ago I shared the news that I was embarking upon yoga classes for the first time in an absolute age. <a href="https://sundays-in-suburbia.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/a-new-leaf.html" target="_blank">You can read that first post here</a>. I was all full of hope, but pretty poor expectations when it came to sticking with it, but I've surprised myself!<br />
<br />
My first class was a week before the Easter holidays so childcare was all over the place. On the second week I couldn't go to the class I'd hoped to go to regularly, but made it to an evening one instead (this would't usually happen - again due to childcare issues) - the evening class was different, but still brilliant. Then it was 10 days before the next one I could go to - so I was desperate by the time I got there and it was also fab.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDM5IgbGKC0/VzHONATwPhI/AAAAAAAAEng/vpvwQdMCS0k9qybW3ZO1apaoyewf2OQlwCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-05-10%2Bat%2B12.44.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDM5IgbGKC0/VzHONATwPhI/AAAAAAAAEng/vpvwQdMCS0k9qybW3ZO1apaoyewf2OQlwCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-05-10%2Bat%2B12.44.53.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image (c) <a href="http://www.andsmilestudio.com/" target="_blank">And Smile</a> - used with permission</span><br />
<br />
There then followed a couple of weeks in which I managed to go twice a week. I realised pretty quickly that the magical restorative effects only last for 2-3 days at best, and waiting a week wasn't working. But then my teacher went on holiday and I couldn't go for 3 weeks... This coincided with me getting a nasty cold. I managed to do a yoga DVD in week 2 (<a href="http://www.gaia.com/tv/vinyasa-flow-yoga-video-1#show/2705" target="_blank">this one - it's my favourite, lots of sun salutations</a>) but that was it. My sciatica got worse again, as did my anxiety and I was just downright grumpy.<br />
<br />
But now she's back and I'm three more classes down - the back pain has almost completely gone, I slept so well last night after my class that I felt really groggy this morning, but hey... I'm more cheerful and positive again, and feel like I've grown about an inch in height. The new aim is two classes per week and one go with the DVD - hoping that'll keep me on a nice even keel! Again the timing thing really hasn't been an issue - I'm so productive after a class that so far I've managed to make up for all the working time I've missed by going to it. In fact, having a pile of work to come back to doesn't bother me at all - I find I'm looking forward to cracking on with it.<br />
<br />
I've also surprised myself with what I can do (shoulder stand, yes - headstand as in the above illustration by <a href="http://www.andsmilestudio.com/" target="_blank">And Smile</a> (who's aiming for this herself!), not quite). but I do have the tightest hamstrings known to man. As I mentioned in my previous post though, it's not a competitive class at all - but I do seem to improve each time, and maybe one day I'll be able to grab hold of my toes!<br />
<br />
An update on other exercise... still just managing lots of walking with the aid of the Fitbit, and I suspect that resuming running with all of my niggly injuries wouldn't be that clever but we'll wait and see.<br />
<br />
Diet wise, I've reduced my wheat and gluten intake over the past few weeks as well. Still some cake though don't worry - I haven't cut it out altogether. Interestingly <a href="http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/ruby-tandoh-eat-clean-wellness?utm_source=vicetwitteruk" target="_blank">I read this post the other day about elimination diets</a> and so called healthy eating - I'm hoping my reduction and a little more fruit and veg may be the best (and healthiest, and more enjoyable) way. So far I have noticed that I'm a bit slimmer, even though I haven't actually lost any weight - a nice bonus!<br />
<br />
If you love the illustration above you can get similar things from <a href="http://www.andsmilestudio.com/" target="_blank">And Smile's shop</a> - if you haven't discovered Viktorija's work yet, prepare to fall quite badly for it!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-65815922507226572272016-05-08T02:00:00.000-07:002016-05-08T02:00:13.737-07:00Snow, Sunburn and Legoland...Well, the last week in April was a funny old one... On the day before the little man's birthday it snowed, on the birthday trip to Legoland last Sunday though, we all got sunburnt!<br />
<br />
As I type this I feel like I'm still recovering from a somewhat epic weekend (I wasn't massively well last week though so my tiredness may well be a combination of the two). Rather than having a birthday party we had friends over on Saturday (for a mini party - 3 children, 6 adults and wine - much better than a screaming mass of 20+ 6 year olds!) and then the next day was the <a href="http://www.legoland.co.uk/" target="_blank">Legoland</a> trip with his best friend. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDst51_8W7k/VyibEhFlu6I/AAAAAAAAElI/sjBvNSUpJG8EASiwIh3XLzoWfAQsvjkNACLcB/s1600/IMG_7836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDst51_8W7k/VyibEhFlu6I/AAAAAAAAElI/sjBvNSUpJG8EASiwIh3XLzoWfAQsvjkNACLcB/s640/IMG_7836.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once we got over the fact that it took us an hour to drive to the outskirts of Windsor then a further hour and 40 minutes to get in and through the gate (if you aim to get there when it opens folks, aim to get there an hour before it opens - if it's a bank holiday weekend and the sun's out anyway...), and then the amazingly long queue for filthy loos it was OK. I loved Miniland (in these pictures) and could quite happily have looked at the models for most of the day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M8yAENtjZ3s/VyibthLMRFI/AAAAAAAAElM/yDEX8mOxfZsatYhszwzgagmtQcFqdf4XwCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M8yAENtjZ3s/VyibthLMRFI/AAAAAAAAElM/yDEX8mOxfZsatYhszwzgagmtQcFqdf4XwCLcB/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
The little man was rather excited to see Paris in miniature after our trip there the other week...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9WMMc6cln5E/Vyib4iQDMaI/AAAAAAAAElU/8tLT7OYUevomxmrHTUvLegrzCtyCd0VIQCLcB/s1600/IMG_7829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9WMMc6cln5E/Vyib4iQDMaI/AAAAAAAAElU/8tLT7OYUevomxmrHTUvLegrzCtyCd0VIQCLcB/s640/IMG_7829.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We went on rides as well of course. I missed the first one (the little boats) as I spent 20 minutes queuing to buy my lunch and they all got fed up and joined that queue without me (so I had to spend an hour standing around and waiting for them - this might be when I burnt my newly bare neck!), but after that I went on a few - the rapids were my favourite and Mr M's too. The little man loved the driving school - it's from age 6 and up so he's only just old enough but he loved it and said it was the highlight of the whole day for him - he did do pretty well, although he keeps telling me he jumped a red light! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.legoland.co.uk/" target="_blank">Legoland</a> is great for younger children (under 10/11 I'd say) as there aren't any big rides or rollercoasters - most rides are suitable for 6 year olds and above. Make sure you take plenty of money, it is massively expensive to get in (get discount vouchers from Kelloggs packets and save on adult tickets) once you get there the food is mediocre, service is slow and pricey, a tiny pot of sweets in the sweet shop was nearly a fiver, and you can't take your child there and not buy them something from the Lego shop at the end - so plan ahead! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Having said that we'll probably be back - maybe try <a href="https://www.chessington.com/" target="_blank">Chessington World of Adventures</a> next though...</div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-8387231752295766822016-05-01T02:00:00.000-07:002016-05-01T02:00:08.530-07:006 Things About 6...The little man turned 6 last week (<a href="http://sundays-in-suburbia.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/getting-older-and-setting-goals.html" target="_blank">another thing to make me feel old</a>!). He keeps on surprising me, not just with his appallingly bad behaviour - only at home mind, an angel at school, of course - but with the stuff he does and doesn't do. I'm pretty sure if the folks behind the "What to expect when you're expecting" range of books did one for 6 year olds I'd laugh and refuse to buy it, but here are 6 things that surprise me...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIezWu1Fhho/Vx9gKIa_sTI/AAAAAAAAEk4/Ptc6f8c7aHIN1kyQ-v0ZIeLjwkqUlh89wCLcB/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIezWu1Fhho/Vx9gKIa_sTI/AAAAAAAAEk4/Ptc6f8c7aHIN1kyQ-v0ZIeLjwkqUlh89wCLcB/s640/Image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
1. He can actually read and write. Far from the top of the class, but he can. Not sure why this surprises me as I could by the time I started school, but back in the old day job (and many years ago now) I used to help out at a local school, reading with their year 6 pupils (so 10-11 year olds) and the child I read with could only read slightly better than my little man can now. Probably more of an issue with the child I was helping than anything else, but still... Also loves practicing spelling tests at home (strange boy).<br />
<br />
2. He still likes to hold my hand. I expected this to end a long time ago. I'm very very happy that it hasn't.<br />
<br />
3. His memory is astounding. "Do you remember [such and such a place/event/conversation from 3 years ago] when we did [x, y, z]?", yes he can, and can add to the conversation proving that he's not just saying it.<br />
<br />
4. He still plays with his brio train set (which was the best buy ever). We bought a job lot of track on eBay for £35 when he was about 18 months old, it's been added to over the years but it's out downstairs as I type this ("don't pack it away Mummy") with some trees from Daddy's Hornby collection, as he visited a model railway exhibition with him last weekend and was inspired. A little extra one here... he still calls me Mummy. Again, makes me very happy!<br />
<br />
5. He still loves his warm milk and despite my best attempts to buy some more grown up drinking vessels, he still prefers it from his baby sippy cup (unless he has friends around...).<br />
<br />
6. We've clearly brought him up to be very strong willed and argumentative. He's also developed the skill of being a tad lazy then really rising to an occasion. These things mostly drive me crazy but I can only hope they'll serve him well in the future. That's assuming the tantrums end at some point. They've been ongoing since 13 months - I really wasn't expecting that...<br />
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-78163778033760873062016-04-24T02:00:00.000-07:002016-04-24T02:00:12.437-07:00Getting older and setting goalsThe little man was getting ready for school on Tuesday morning when he spotted this hot air balloon out the window. Much excitement ensued, involving me hurriedly seeking out the zoom lens for the camera and then leaning out the front window (no doubt to the amusement of the neighbours).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lW6W8f9SDm4/VxYJnBG6KDI/AAAAAAAAEko/5rVt6RDTTe4Lky_0iVbMXBXmHXvstIJZwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4387%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lW6W8f9SDm4/VxYJnBG6KDI/AAAAAAAAEko/5rVt6RDTTe4Lky_0iVbMXBXmHXvstIJZwCLcB/s640/IMG_4387%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
He said he wasn't sure he'd like to go in one as he's afraid of heights (I don't think he is really, but his Daddy is, so he thinks he must be too), but I said I'd love to. As the balloon moved across the sky we saw that it had Happy Birthday written on the other side and the little man said I should go in one for mine.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now this got me thinking. Every other blogger seems to do these 30 before 30, 90 before 90 (!) blog posts and I'm approaching a big birthday. OK, it's still over 2 years away, but for the first time ever I'm really not happy about getting older. 20 was easy, happy to see the back of my teens, 30 wasn't a problem either, but 40.... I remember my Mum's 40th birthday party as if it were yesterday (rather than 28 years ago) and, well this just makes me feel old (sorry Mum!). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's a combination of things... I have properly grey hair nowadays (it's coloured), I have permanent lines that aren't shifting (and the idea of Botox is no longer abhorrent to me - give me another 5 years and I'll decide that a facelift is fine too no doubt). I look tired (and therefore older) all of the time. I find it increasingly hard to loose weight. I also feel as if I've achieved absolutely nothing in nearly 38 years. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So the question is, do I set myself a 40 before 40 and set it now, so I have some hope of achieving it? Would setting myself some concrete goals spur me on or just set me up for failure (and then feeling even worse about it when the dreaded birthday comes along)? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have a few ideas along the lines of getting back into exercise (sticking with the new yoga regime but maybe getting back into running and swimming too), finding time to read some books, trying to sort my business out so I can actually afford to pay myself. They all seem to be things I'm constantly working towards anyway but not managing to do, so I'm not sure how putting myself under even more pressure to achieve them is going to help.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can of course add stuff like the hot air balloon ride, but that sort of thing is all dependent upon having the time and money (and I honestly have no idea whatsoever how much a hot air balloon ride would cost - it may even be so much that I don't consider it to be worth it anyway).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, I'm going to have a think about it. I don't want to write a list if it's just going to turn into another annoying to do list, when I already have plenty of those. It'll only work if it's full of things I'll look forward to, and I'd probably need more than 2 years to get through that! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Have you done a 40 before 40 (or 30 before 30 or similar)? Did you think it was a good idea or did it just put you under too much pressure?</div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-42713241188447727332016-04-17T02:00:00.000-07:002016-04-17T02:00:48.073-07:00Garden time again!I love this time of year as, weather permitting, I can really get back out in the garden again. I've mentioned before that gardening is pretty much my favourite way to relax - nothing too heavy, just a pootle, but at this time of year as the flowers are starting to pop up (and I'm eagerly watching the shoots on my beloved peonies) it's actually quite exciting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Djrp_P4FL1Y/Vw4JnGbI0OI/AAAAAAAAEkI/emusk6mpv6ofJuWEi9z2d25VkpnaevVFgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Djrp_P4FL1Y/Vw4JnGbI0OI/AAAAAAAAEkI/emusk6mpv6ofJuWEi9z2d25VkpnaevVFgCLcB/s640/IMG_4259.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Having said that, we went to the garden centre last weekend and managed to spend a total of £4! I bought some geraniums to brighten up the window box. I'm still a little nervous about buying anything which could be damaged by frost, as there's a risk. I'm also never quite sure what's lurking in the flower beds - I tend to forget what's where, think I have a gap, then later discover I don't!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-29aDrAe67rs/Vw4KBEgEDrI/AAAAAAAAEkM/BxcjHUatzy8X9kR_D7jHWIhDulBC-QwKQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-29aDrAe67rs/Vw4KBEgEDrI/AAAAAAAAEkM/BxcjHUatzy8X9kR_D7jHWIhDulBC-QwKQCLcB/s640/IMG_4265.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While we were at the garden centre we had a little look at the greenhouses. I'd quite like to get a small one so I can start growing a few things from seed. We don't have much space though and it'd be very much on show, so I've parked that idea for the time being. It'd have to be a nice pretty looking one and they're expensive! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I did stumble across a rather odd set up in one of the sheds though... vintage sewing machines and a vintage shop model doing the ironing. An image I just can't get out of my head! Loved the sewing machines though!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5m5BZrnoE8k/Vw4KpCgDsDI/AAAAAAAAEkU/bJDmmEbcJmEmrHzjzsP-BUDjJuybYCsAgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5m5BZrnoE8k/Vw4KpCgDsDI/AAAAAAAAEkU/bJDmmEbcJmEmrHzjzsP-BUDjJuybYCsAgCLcB/s640/IMG_4262.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-7363628252578670462016-04-10T02:00:00.000-07:002016-04-10T02:00:01.311-07:00Paris with the 5 year old...So we decided to take the little man to one of our favourite places. Mr M and I had been to Paris many times in our pre-parenting days and we wanted to show it to him - I also had a little dream of him sailing a boat in the pond at the Jardin du Luxembourg (more on that later). It was good, but didn't go entirely to plan.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avC0OvR6-8s/VwYj_w5t96I/AAAAAAAAEjY/utYRCC3PCDgb4Pw1t9DNqWGbeZnUgkS9Q/s1600/IMG_7384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avC0OvR6-8s/VwYj_w5t96I/AAAAAAAAEjY/utYRCC3PCDgb4Pw1t9DNqWGbeZnUgkS9Q/s640/IMG_7384.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The small boy was VERY excited about going to Paris. We reminded him frequently that we would not be going to Disneyland and he seemed OK with that - to be fair he didn't mention it at all while we were away so he clearly was OK with it. He was looking forward to seeing the Eiffel Tower and just visiting Paris (always loves to be somewhere different). As we'd been so many times before it was easy to plan our trip around him - nothing we needed to go and see and we'd do whatever he wanted to. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, the first stop was our hotel - the Hotel George Opera. We chose this hotel as it looked to be very child friendly, wasn't too horribly expensive, and had an apartment so the little man could sleep in a separate room (so quieter and we didn't have to go to bed early with him). Unfortunately though when we arrived they'd double booked our room so we had to spend the first night in a standard triple room, which really took the edge off things (we all had to go to bed at 9pm). They did refund us for the first night and move us to the apartment for our second one - it was much much better. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The breakfast room was lovely and had a really nice area for younger children to play - the little man managed to amuse himself for a few minutes though with the kitchen. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SstgJnw2Vfs/VwYlThmEOhI/AAAAAAAAEjk/-yxC_NjoUno8LoPmQZoUTFqYzPtIh2Niw/s1600/IMG_7346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SstgJnw2Vfs/VwYlThmEOhI/AAAAAAAAEjk/-yxC_NjoUno8LoPmQZoUTFqYzPtIh2Niw/s640/IMG_7346.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
First stop after dropping off our bags was the metro to the Eiffel Tower. Our hotel was just up the road from Saint Georges metro station (and down from Pigalle) - we'd never stayed in this part of town before and it made a nice change. Once you drop down the hill a bit the ultra touristy, tacky Pigalle area actually becomes quite nice. We took the metro to Trocadero so we could recreate a photo from my first visit 24 years ago (almost to the day) but sadly there were hoardings up which prevented it. The little man was still excited to see the tower though (and not fussed to go up, which was a good thing as we'd left it too late to buy the queue jump tickets) - we walked under the tower and through the gardens on the other side where I hunted for mangnolia in flower (only spotted one the whole weekend and it was too far away to photograph!). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qqu1HH1z8xE/VwYmJA1es-I/AAAAAAAAEjs/li_GpQB56MId7HyDM5Rb731b1Iaudf7Yg/s1600/IMG_7337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qqu1HH1z8xE/VwYmJA1es-I/AAAAAAAAEjs/li_GpQB56MId7HyDM5Rb731b1Iaudf7Yg/s640/IMG_7337.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We found a cafe on Rue Cler for a much needed snack and glass of wine, before heading back to the hotel. We found a great little pizza place for dinner, which was a 10 minute walk from the hotel (we went both nights as the little man loved it and behaved himself there - arguably the most important thing as for the most part his behaviour was atrocious to the point of embarrassing). Trying to find somewhere suitable to eat with him in the evenings was tricky as most places are child friendly during the day (provided they behave - he didn't) but not at night. Our hotel didn't have a restaurant so that wasn't an option... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On day 2 we headed off to the Jardin du Luxembourg to find the boats. Which we couldn't. We searched and searched and established (as best we could with zero signage or information) that they were closed. Little man was sad. I was possibly even more so. So we headed off to the play area which was brilliant. There's a small entrance fee but for that you get a huge playground with a great range of equipment, which is clean and in excellent condition (so a far cry from South London!). We were there for about an hour and he completely wore himself out, before we walked over to Rue Du Buci (another of Mr M and my favourite spots from years gone by) for lunch. He did OK but kept wanting to crawl along the benches as if he was a toddler (give me strength). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After lunch we walked up to the river to take a boat trip (something we did do once - I think on our first visit) so very touristy but the plan was to appease the little man. It sort of worked. We took a boat from and back to Pont Neuf. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
He was then complaining about the sun in his eyes (he doesn't have shades as he wears glasses and prescription sunglasses aren't recommended for children) so we headed to the shops to get him a cap. Then a walk through the Louve "Oh look, pyramides!" and the Tuileries where we had ice creams and he had a massive tantrum when he got covered in chocolate ice cream and I wanted to wipe it off. Then a trip on the big wheel before heading back to the hotel to chill out in our larger room for a little while. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I mentioned we went to the pizza place again for tea, but then walked up to Sacre Coeur (taking the funicular for the last part) so see the sun go down and the lights come on. This was a bit of a mistake as they were selling lit up Eiffel Tower models up there (we'd already bought him a normal one) so a good 20 minutes of screaming and crying ensued when we said he couldn't have one. Then back to bed...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On our last day the first stop was the Centre Pompidou. It was closed as it was a Tuesday but that was OK as I didn't plan to pay to take the little man in as his attention span was similar to that of a gnat. We had a look at the outside and he commended that it looks like a hamster cage (good observation) then popped to a cafe next door for excellent hot chocolate.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMfXCr3z0Ho/VwYpW4_cMhI/AAAAAAAAEj4/XG9RV33EDDYQH0Tvdu8JJP84aPYgElk9Q/s1600/IMG_7394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMfXCr3z0Ho/VwYpW4_cMhI/AAAAAAAAEj4/XG9RV33EDDYQH0Tvdu8JJP84aPYgElk9Q/s640/IMG_7394.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We then agreed to take him to a toy shop. We wanted a nice toy shop so where else but Galleries Lafayette? He chose a Paris bendy bus and was very happy with that. This was the first trip to Paris where I didn't buy anything for myself at all! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We found a bistro for lunch en route to the Champs Elysees then walked along to the Arc de Triomphe where the little man ran around a bit (and Mr M looked out for car crashes) before heading back to the metro and the hotel to collect our case and travel back to Gare du Nord for our 5pm Eurostar. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So it was pretty exhausting, but the little man still says he had a brilliant time and he loves Paris. He told me not to be sad that I was leaving as he's going to take me back when he's a bit older. Mr M and I are currently debating whether we ever want to go on holiday with him again!! It's definitely true that there's no such thing as a holiday when you have children - work is much easier!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hasn't put me off Paris though...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-83460235966761146932016-03-27T02:00:00.000-07:002016-03-27T02:00:04.201-07:00A new leaf?I've spoken before about my total inability to relax properly. I've also been feeling pretty sluggish and knackered and just generally under the weather since Christmas. After a few bad weeks, and then a lovely (properly) relaxing day out I decided I needed to do something about it.<br />
<br />
Now, in the interests of sticking with this I've decided to share!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S_8za85rftQ/VvEd0P8jT9I/AAAAAAAAEio/w0CvxUkDL-Ms97Zot7FzViaHvr35zmGTg/s1600/IMG_7118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S_8za85rftQ/VvEd0P8jT9I/AAAAAAAAEio/w0CvxUkDL-Ms97Zot7FzViaHvr35zmGTg/s640/IMG_7118.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's a yoga studio, literally around the corner from my house. I'd always assumed it was lovely (looked like it from outside/the website) but the times of the classes were never quite right - either no childcare at those times/days or no time, or felt I couldn't justify the cost. Well, the class is an hour and a half long, which even though it's just around the corner, is still 2 hours out of my working day once I'm organised and have got myself there and back. There are a couple I can physically get to though, and the classes are hatha yoga (my preferred type - I like to stretch and breathe properly and relax, not enter into a contortion competition). So last week I decided to go for it. You have to book in advance, which is good for me as I'm far less likely to back out at the last minute. So I went along to my first class the other day feeling a little apprehensive. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My last yoga class had been years and years ago and it was one of those sweaty, competitive, 30+ people in the room at the gym jobs, and I never found them that relaxing. I also felt that I couldn't keep up (some people were super flexible - I'm not). So I was after no pressure yoga... This was completely different. A proper purpose built yoga studio - all calming and lovely - no underlying smell of sweat (and wonderfully clean yoga mats - anyone who's done yoga at a gym without their own mat will understand the joy this brings!). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pYZD6cz1jmI/VvEfYFCOUJI/AAAAAAAAEi0/Y-MU_ve5KYwIuEL-pNCjyj_9cDz-MzPDA/s1600/IMG_7121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pYZD6cz1jmI/VvEfYFCOUJI/AAAAAAAAEi0/Y-MU_ve5KYwIuEL-pNCjyj_9cDz-MzPDA/s640/IMG_7121.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyway, it was wonderful and I came away feeling great. A bit sore the next day (I have a bad back and my current exercise regime involves walking - lots of it, but just walking), but sore in a good way if you know what I mean (and I think the stiff neck was more down to the amazing night's sleep I had - stayed in the same position too long!). So I'll be back. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From a relaxation point of view I realised at the end of the class that I'd barely thought about anything other than what I was doing the whole time. This never happens! So in between classes I've decided to seek out a little more relaxation with some short meditations. I've used Headspace in the past so I'm planning to try them out again, and I also dug out an old customised hypnotherapy recording I had made for me after a session I had years ago (I partially credit this hypnotherapy session with my against all odds miracle pregnancy but everyone thinks I'm nuts - timing was uncanny though...). So the aim is to try and retain my current, slightly more chilled than usual (no longer as chilled as I was at the end of the class!) state but incorporating a little relaxation most, if not every day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now the last time I found a yoga class I loved it got me started on all sorts of other exercise as I felt so good. Let's see if this helps me to resume the running and swimming I used to do. That would be nice.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, and did I feel like I'd lost 2 hours of time for my work? No, I had a blindingly productive afternoon and got what I'd usually do in 7 hours done in 5. So there you go...</div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-84639951846276194232016-03-20T02:00:00.000-07:002016-03-20T02:00:18.087-07:00Channelling my inner Marie Kondo...Only those who've been living, not under a rock as such, but maybe on a nice remote island with no internet, can have missed Marie Kondo. Her book, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-effective-clutter/dp/0091955106/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457966993&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Life Changing Magic of Tidying</a> has been all over everything recently. I don't have a copy myself but am led to believe the idea is that you get rid of everything you don't use on a daily basis or is totally wonderful and/or makes your space beautiful (so a little like William Morris). However I'm not entirely sure I've fully grasped how ruthless she is, and I'm pretty sure it's not for me - I'm more maximalist than minimalist...<br />
<br />
The house is looking minimal by our standards at the moment though as we had a massive clear out. It's sort of still ongoing - once one room looks great the mess in the others tends to look worse so you get inspired. We started with the bathroom where we discovered products which were 9 years out of date (we've been in the house for less than 6 so that means we moved with them... why????) and Mr M concocted what can only be described as his own version of George's Marvellous Medicine as we did our best to empty everything out and recycle all of the packaging. The bathroom is now practically empty, but you know I have everything I need. Funny that.<br />
<br />
I then moved on to my dressing table - the rest of the bedroom was OK (<a href="http://sundays-in-suburbia.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/the-spring-clean.html" target="_blank">and I did my wardrobe a few weeks ago</a>), but I still found plenty of other bits to add to the bucket and the recycling. And look, I found a dressing table under it all!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GWess6TkUL4/VubRBiP3ldI/AAAAAAAAEiI/UL8nBbL8psUiTrDelEk_xo6euRzBipRLA/s1600/IMG_7008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GWess6TkUL4/VubRBiP3ldI/AAAAAAAAEiI/UL8nBbL8psUiTrDelEk_xo6euRzBipRLA/s640/IMG_7008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Found lots of jewellery I'd forgotten I had too....<br />
<br />
This all felt very nice but there was one elephant of a room in the house - it was driving Mr M and I nuts... The living room/playroom. The only room with a TV and the comfiest sofa, totally surrounded by heaps of plastic toys and a complete mess. So we decided to go to IKEA (as you do on a Sunday afternoon).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ImAArQQc5WE/VubRcbm7QKI/AAAAAAAAEiM/ddycOqPpmlssBT82xCGj8my7PDNLp1rTA/s1600/IMG_7028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ImAArQQc5WE/VubRcbm7QKI/AAAAAAAAEiM/ddycOqPpmlssBT82xCGj8my7PDNLp1rTA/s640/IMG_7028.jpg" width="622" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So yes, another Kallax shelving unit, but a small one, tucked into the corner of the room. Several items moved to the little mans bedroom and others went to the charity shop, but after that we got most of his toys into this. I'm so happy I can't put it into words. So Marie must be right, it is life changing?!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EWChpmncLpk/VubR9Nes9lI/AAAAAAAAEiU/akhv3FOsRXo87_GugSWLZ4ASRe5nw3vtQ/s1600/IMG_7029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EWChpmncLpk/VubR9Nes9lI/AAAAAAAAEiU/akhv3FOsRXo87_GugSWLZ4ASRe5nw3vtQ/s640/IMG_7029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Decided to take the opportunity to chuck out the filthy old cushions and do the sofa revamp too. I'd planned to wait until I've finished my needlepoint, but as I'm only just over half way through, it'll be months, so in the meantime I went with this. The green and orange cushion on the left is one the little man choose in IKEA a few months ago. Pink one in front by <a href="http://www.madebymrsm.co.uk/" target="_blank">yours truly</a>, jammy dodger from <a href="http://nikkimcwilliams.com/" target="_blank">Nikki McWilliams</a> and the gorgeous square cushion on the right bought a couple of years ago from <a href="http://www.rachelparkerdesigns.co.uk/" target="_blank">Rachel Parker</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've subsequently sorted out my studio (long overdue) and started on the spare bedroom/loft/general dumping ground upstairs. We've got rid of a fair amount of baby stuff recently but there's still a lot up there...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next thing I know I'm standing in WH Smith looking for Marie Kondo's book, and I realised that by buying it I'll go completely against the whole idea of decluttering! So I haven't. Fairly sure it'll just make me feel bad as I won't be able to live up to her standards (and I'm not sure I want to). But I'm fairly sure that a tidy home can be life changing.</div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-29723609984336355152016-03-12T23:30:00.000-08:002016-03-12T23:30:14.037-08:00Book Week and the Epic PooI struggle a little with the fact that the small boy is not as interested in books as I was. I could read before I started school, and ploughed my way through all the books ahead of my class the whole way to secondary school.<br />
<br />
The little man on the other hand, likes the idea but didn't realise that he would actually have to work at learning to read - I think he expected to just go to school and be able to do it. He was rather disappointed that he couldn't and struggled a bit in reception. He had extra help for the first term this year and I think he's turned a corner. The great thing about phonics is that once you've got the hang of it you can read almost anything.<br />
<br />
He still didn't quite get my book week related excitement though... When I was at primary school it was the highlight of my year - we even had a book fair and I designed the poster a couple of times.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFaZta-j-ds/VuFGHIOm4mI/AAAAAAAAEho/nbi_q1TpybU/s1600/IMG_3576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="596" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFaZta-j-ds/VuFGHIOm4mI/AAAAAAAAEho/nbi_q1TpybU/s640/IMG_3576.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
First of all he hates dressing up... So we had to come up with a character he could dress up as without feeling like he was dressed up. Aaargh. Instagram friends came to my rescue and we went for the boy from the Oliver Jeffers books. He was very happy and apparently his outfit went down well at school too. <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/93/LostAndFound-OliverJeffers.jpg" target="_blank">Here's a picture of said character in case you're unfamiliar.</a><br />
<br />
Then last Monday he came home with the news that he'd been promoted to the next level of reading books - which is always something to celebrate for someone who struggles a bit. He then announced that he was to start work on his first novel. So here it is (very early draft of course!).... Thomas and the Epic Poo...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UB0eN43RICQ/VuFG3YinP3I/AAAAAAAAEhw/OJL1lj6Um_8/s1600/IMG_3672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UB0eN43RICQ/VuFG3YinP3I/AAAAAAAAEhw/OJL1lj6Um_8/s640/IMG_3672.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It involves a snake (the green thing), pants, a plunger and some orange sweets. Basically, small boy does an enormous poo and there are to be many adventures...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NLhpJaQA68w/VuFHCRmCGUI/AAAAAAAAEh0/tN76HyEvdnU/s1600/IMG_3673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NLhpJaQA68w/VuFHCRmCGUI/AAAAAAAAEh0/tN76HyEvdnU/s640/IMG_3673.jpg" width="540" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The opening chapter: "Once upon a time there was a boy called Thomas. He had an epic poo. It got stuck in the toilet. It was very big. I don't know what he'd eaten! It smelt awful. How would we get it to flush away? I don't know! To be continued...".</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So maybe I'm just getting the whole thing wrong by not being gross enough?! He loves being read to and we're pretty much through the Roald Dahl books (although I don't think there's any harm in reading them again). At the moment I'm reading him The Borrowers in an attempt to recapture some of my childhood book related excitement but I'm not sure it's really grabbing him. Maybe the Tales of Narnia, but again... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, any recommendations for books for reading to nearly 6 year old boys which are a little gross but will still entertain me? This may be too much to ask but I'm glad that he's starting to develop an interest at last! </div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-22443721101286550922016-03-06T02:00:00.000-08:002016-03-06T02:00:23.415-08:00Loosing The Mojo...Hmmm, I think it's the time of year or something...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qJndqSHqHuA/VtVsQTnDHeI/AAAAAAAAEhY/9d6nKnLGxSU/s1600/IMG_6726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qJndqSHqHuA/VtVsQTnDHeI/AAAAAAAAEhY/9d6nKnLGxSU/s640/IMG_6726.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
At the time of writing (Tuesday morning, 10.30am) I have lost my mojo. Completely. It's gone. Hence I'm writing this when I should really be doing some "proper work". I'm tired, not feeling it.<br />
<br />
Just updated my stats for my main blog, social media and everything for February and it's left me depressed. I had an amazing December (best month ever), which was almost bettered by an amazing January (usually the worst month) - I was busy, full of ideas and motivation. In February it started to slow down (I had expected this) but now it's stopped. I almost feel as if I've dropped off the face of the planet.<br />
<br />
A very short trawl through social media tells me that I'm not alone - I genuinely think a decline in work and mood generally does go with the last few weeks of winter. Oh, and to cap it all the weather is lousy again - filthy. I've put the flowers above on my desk this morning in an attempt to counteract the filthiness going on outside the window...<br />
<br />
So I figured if I'm feeling miserable and plenty of others are too, I'd compile a little list of cheering (also free or very cheap - which is important if business is slow!) things I like to do - either to restore the mojo or just to give in and wait it out.<br />
<br />
1. The flowers. So no, this one isn't free, and yes I have pushed the boat out today. The flowers above were bought this morning in Sainsbury's for £5. This is way more than I usually spend. At this time of year daffodils are my favourite and they're £1 a bunch. Sometimes I splash out and buy 2 bunches. Alternatively they have tulips for £2.50. I tend to get at least a week out of them.<br />
<br />
2. Tea and cake. A day without tea in it is a very bad day indeed. My favourite tea at the moment is Twining's Everyday (the one in the yellow box). If this can be accompanied by cake, all the better.<br />
<br />
3. Tidy up. As I type this my studio is a mess again. If I can drag myself up from this desk I should tidy it. I have more, better ideas in a tidy, inspiring space. I need to take down old stuff and stick new things on the wall.<br />
<br />
4. <a href="http://sundays-in-suburbia.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/in-garden-before-and-after.html" target="_blank">The garden</a>. One for the summer, not today as it's just hideous out there. Hideous I tell you. But, in the summer if I'm feeling a bit meh I drop everything and go out in the garden. My absolute favourite job out there is mowing the lawn and doing the edging, but I'll settle for weeding or pruning if that doesn't need doing. There's always something to do, and I find pootling around out there to be far more relaxing than sitting in a chair looking at it.<br />
<br />
5. Restyle a room. Sort of the equivalent of doing the garden but for nasty days like today. Might try this later. Bonus points for taking pictures to share on Instagram at a later date!<br />
<br />
6. Read. Not something work related. This is hard for me as I have stacks of stuff to inspire me, but sometimes you need to loose yourself. So ideally a novel. I don't have time to read usually so this is also a real luxury for me. <a href="http://sundays-in-suburbia.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/judging-book-by-its-cover.html" target="_blank">See my earlier post here for some ideas</a>.<br />
<br />
7. Make something. This also needs to not be work related (in my case preferably something that can never be and that I won't photograph and share/write a blog post about either - this is tricky!). So painting and drawing can be good, or any craft - best to do something you're familiar with so you don't have to think about it too much/get frustrated.<br />
<br />
8. Glossy magazines. I'm talking to you Vogue. I also like Bazaar. None of the self improvement nonsense, no depressing gossip about celebrities I've never heard of. Nothing I can possibly turn into something work related. Just unaffordable beautiful clothes, nice pictures and a bit of escapism.<br />
<br />
9. Woody Allen. Or insert your favourite films here. It has to be a very bad day though for me to sacrifice so much "valuable work time"...<br />
<br />
10. Sort out the wardrobe/make-up drawer. Sometimes doing number 8 above can prompt this. <a href="http://sundays-in-suburbia.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/the-spring-clean.html" target="_blank">I had a wonderful wardrobe clear out a few weeks ago</a> and it made me feel great.<br />
<br />
11. Have a bath. All the more indulgent if you rarely get to have one. I'm a shower girl due to necessity (small boy, and spend all of my evenings working, one way or another). I'm a fan of a Lush bath bomb - the Yoga Bomb is my favourite.<br />
<br />
12. List achievements. I don't mean in your life, I mean in the last day/week. If you're anything like me you're brilliant at remembering and listing the bad stuff and the things that went wrong. Focus on the good stuff - you've probably achieved a lot this week, you've just forgotten about it.<br />
<br />
13. Stats. Now if you're a stats person like me, you need hard evidence of those achievements. One of the things that has contributed to my funk today is stats. My stats for February 2016. One month. This is already rubbish. I need to compare month on month, year on year. And I know, without even checking, that this is a pretty continuous upward trajectory of growth, and I am definitely heading in the right direction. So snap out of it Kate. And don't look at one day/week/month of rubbishness in isolation.<br />
<br />
14. Keep going. Still feeling rubbish? There's one guaranteed way to fail. Giving up. I frequently need to remind myself of this. If I give up, someone will take my place. If I give up I will regret it and wonder what might've been forever. If you can afford/have the time and opportunity to keep going, keep going.<br />
<br />
15. However, step away... But step away today and have a break. It won't make any difference (unless you're on a major deadline today and you'll completely mess up everything if you don't achieve it, in which case take the break tomorrow!). That's what I'm planning to do now.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-73079865765158734372016-02-28T02:00:00.000-08:002016-02-28T02:00:14.263-08:00Exploring Lincolnshire...Ah, a week off.... Well, a relative week off anyway - time off school is rarely a holiday for parents! As I type this, I'm working again, he's back to school, and I'm completely knackered. Anyway... Daddy was working over half term so I took the little man to spend the week with his grandparents in Lincolnshire.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YuJME1XjO3A/Vssci5E86MI/AAAAAAAAEfw/f2utbwzDklg/s1600/IMG_6522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YuJME1XjO3A/Vssci5E86MI/AAAAAAAAEfw/f2utbwzDklg/s640/IMG_6522.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Finds from a mini nature walk in Grandma and Grandad's garden</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As you would expect, we're there fairly regularly, and I spent my teens living there, but here's a little rundown of what we did on this occasion and some outings I'd recommend. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. <a href="https://www.lincolncastle.com/" target="_blank">Lincoln Castle</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-weZ7o4D_5z8/VssdI8nufwI/AAAAAAAAEf4/bPfvZThfKkY/s1600/IMG_6436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-weZ7o4D_5z8/VssdI8nufwI/AAAAAAAAEf4/bPfvZThfKkY/s640/IMG_6436.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lincoln Castle</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The castle has had a pretty significant revamp in recent years and reopened with a fanfare last spring. This was my first visit in a very long time (I think the last time was when I crossed the finishing line of the Lincoln 10k about 10 years ago!). You can now get into the castle for free and visit the nice cafe and shop, stroll about, sit on the grass etc. But they charge for entry to the Magna Carta exhibition, prison (this is worth seeing if you haven't been before if just for <a href="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/08/f4/9c/6a/lincoln-castle.jpg" target="_blank">the chapel</a>) and to walk the walls. The walls have been restored and for the first time (ever in my memory) you can now walk right around them. It was a lovely day, and we had a very impatient 5 year old with us so we opted for the wall walk only. It was really rather good and I'm sure we'll do it again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UqvaQNMfAk/VsseC2nmzII/AAAAAAAAEgE/_j_4V8QpSbs/s1600/IMG_6434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UqvaQNMfAk/VsseC2nmzII/AAAAAAAAEgE/_j_4V8QpSbs/s640/IMG_6434.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The cathedral from the castle walls</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JH6OLsBssxc/VsseMXF9sNI/AAAAAAAAEgI/ZccBN8BYDKg/s1600/IMG_6337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JH6OLsBssxc/VsseMXF9sNI/AAAAAAAAEgI/ZccBN8BYDKg/s640/IMG_6337.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Inside the cafe</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. <a href="http://www.thekinemainthewoods.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Kinema in the Woods</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Woodhall Spa is a really really pretty little town with some lovely houses. It always seems to rain when I'm there though - I'd love to take a stroll around sometime. We visited the cinema there as it really is a fantastic experience (and the Odeon in Lincoln is second highest in price only to Leicester Square - yes, this is true!). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Kinema is in a wonderful old little building tucked away in the woods (the clue is in the name!). You get an interval and an organist. So it (almost) makes watching Alvin and the Chipmunks bearable. Almost. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jk726gD7kPo/VssfH8yNccI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/-kYe7TTjjHM/s1600/IMG_6452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jk726gD7kPo/VssfH8yNccI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/-kYe7TTjjHM/s640/IMG_6452.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pretend you're in the 1950s at the Kinema in the Woods</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. <a href="http://www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk/" target="_blank">The National Centre for Craft and Design</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Head down to Sleaford for the National Centre for Craft and Design. I absolutely love this place. My Dad doesn't. On this occasion though he was as enamoured as the rest of us as there was a fabulous exhibition of furniture on (as a carpenter he was in his element!). The little man got to make stuff and my Mum and I just loved pretty much everything. They have changing exhibitions throughout the year and a wonderful shop. Do check the place out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vpnvHukCbvQ/VssfwECXP7I/AAAAAAAAEgU/gZ3ZdwAv0QA/s1600/IMG_6506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vpnvHukCbvQ/VssfwECXP7I/AAAAAAAAEgU/gZ3ZdwAv0QA/s640/IMG_6506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The National Centre for Craft and Design</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. <a href="http://www.thegardenhousesaxby.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Garden House, Saxby</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We visited The Garden House to see the snowdrops - there were quite a few. It's a relatively newly established garden and it can only get better year on year - they've planted a woodland walk (along which you can see the snowdrops) - the trees are pretty small at the moment but its' still worth a visit. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxyytrm1PsM/VssgZHgFIWI/AAAAAAAAEgk/TWAj_IK7LVw/s1600/IMG_6455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxyytrm1PsM/VssgZHgFIWI/AAAAAAAAEgk/TWAj_IK7LVw/s640/IMG_6455.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Garden House, Saxby</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was also rather taken by the formal gardens nearer the house, where we spotted some lovely hellebores and cherry blossom.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RldNzUqOkYs/VssgpZMFBiI/AAAAAAAAEgo/NKrm9duSrfc/s1600/IMG_6398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RldNzUqOkYs/VssgpZMFBiI/AAAAAAAAEgo/NKrm9duSrfc/s640/IMG_6398.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Garden House, Saxby</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nYU55wrzuvg/VssgxDEc1jI/AAAAAAAAEgs/4IfaEnLHPRQ/s1600/IMG_6399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nYU55wrzuvg/VssgxDEc1jI/AAAAAAAAEgs/4IfaEnLHPRQ/s640/IMG_6399.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Garden House, Saxby</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We pootled around the house a fair bit too - the little man loves his grandparent's garden as it's huge. We also had a bit of snow to play in!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iQFtvQKQU30/VsshI8XCkgI/AAAAAAAAEg0/KYdTqeiqTok/s1600/IMG_6407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iQFtvQKQU30/VsshI8XCkgI/AAAAAAAAEg0/KYdTqeiqTok/s640/IMG_6407.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Playing in the snow in our pyjamas</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A couple of food recommendations too.... While we did end up eating in two (yes 2) separate branches of Pizza Express (the little man's favourite) we also had a fantastic lunch at <a href="http://www.doddingtonhall.com/" target="_blank">Doddington Hall</a> - their burger is fab (as is the cake). They have a brilliant shop there too. At the end of the week we had a very nice pub lunch at <a href="http://thekingsheadtealby.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Kings Head in Tealby</a> (gorgeous old thatched building in a very pretty village near Market Rasen). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And that was that, back to the smoke! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0Gin4F_4LQ/Vsshy4tjSpI/AAAAAAAAEhA/wmleYx9yG9Y/s1600/IMG_6355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0Gin4F_4LQ/Vsshy4tjSpI/AAAAAAAAEhA/wmleYx9yG9Y/s640/IMG_6355.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-41780987945410815182016-02-14T02:00:00.000-08:002016-02-14T02:00:20.545-08:00The Spring Clean...I finally decided to have a wardrobe clear out last week when I got completely fed up of trying to wedge my dresses in, and find the particular black jersey thing I was after. It was fairly epic. This is what the charity shop is receiving:<br />
<br />
27 dresses<br />
22 tops<br />
13 skirts<br />
6 cardigans<br />
6 items of swimwear/nightwear/underwear<br />
2 pairs of leggings.<br />
<br />
As you can see I was pretty ruthless. Still plenty of cardigans left though, so that's OK!<br />
<br />
Now for a restock, or not... It seems that I still have quite a lot to wear (including a rainbow of cardigans). I did make one initial purchase though - a new t-shirt from Baukjen. It's this one, but in grey (as it was in the sale).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GIzjDIJdCd8/VrnADz-lZ9I/AAAAAAAAEe8/SUFhdjMuYg4/s1600/512x700.fit.TP522-DUB-18_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GIzjDIJdCd8/VrnADz-lZ9I/AAAAAAAAEe8/SUFhdjMuYg4/s640/512x700.fit.TP522-DUB-18_3.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.baukjen.com/uk/shop/baukjen/tops/t-shirts/essential-long-sleeve-t-bitter-chocolate.htm" target="_blank">Baujken Long Sleeve Tee</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not very exciting I hear you say, but I love Baukjen. Their t-shirts are fantastic quality and wash really really well. This one replaces a grey one I bought when I was still on maternity leave, and have practically lived in for over 5 years (and that was the last time I sorted out my wardrobe - eek!). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also have jeans from Baukjen as they fit so well. Mine are a bootleg cut which they don't seem to do anymore (I'm short so it's the best cut for me!). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I have a bit of a wish list, but I'm managing to restrain myself fairly well at the moment. Boden had these wonderful shoes in the sale (which I'd been after for about a year) so I snapped these up too...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pQNbu83-Sa4/VrnA7SmyiaI/AAAAAAAAEfM/03KybGPhE8I/s1600/piccal8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pQNbu83-Sa4/VrnA7SmyiaI/AAAAAAAAEfM/03KybGPhE8I/s640/piccal8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
They've also got some lovely new stuff. Thinking I might need to go for something like this?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yC85LqmQxK4/VrnBcjwwvLI/AAAAAAAAEfQ/tyirH8daK7g/s1600/16WSPR_WH975_IVO_D01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yC85LqmQxK4/VrnBcjwwvLI/AAAAAAAAEfQ/tyirH8daK7g/s640/16WSPR_WH975_IVO_D01.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-dresses/smart-day-dresses/wh975/womens-maggie-ottoman-dress" target="_blank">Maggie Ottoman Dress - Boden</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then there's my current fave Lindy Bop. I already have a dress from them which has hummingbirds on and I've been wearing it a lot, but I think I might need this one too...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szuhTpn3S10/VrnCZZxtM3I/AAAAAAAAEfg/Ps9efdHpf8M/s1600/clarissa-hummingbird-print-vintage-40s-style-tea-dress-p1314-15809_zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szuhTpn3S10/VrnCZZxtM3I/AAAAAAAAEfg/Ps9efdHpf8M/s640/clarissa-hummingbird-print-vintage-40s-style-tea-dress-p1314-15809_zoom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.lindybop.co.uk/dresses-c1/tea-day-dresses-c2/clarissa-hummingbird-print-vintage-40s-style-tea-dress-p1314" target="_blank">Clarissa Hummingbird Print 40's Style Tea Dress - Lindy Bop</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But at the moment, I'm quite enjoying having some space! I did get rid of a lot of summer stuff, so give me a couple of months and I may be shopping... If you have any recommendations for flattering bikinis (with a substantial bottom half - not that I'm saying I have a substantial bottom mind - 50's style...) I'm all ears! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'll be taking a week off from this blog next week as it's half term. See you again on Sunday 28 February. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353730963755345817.post-32048008459061900042016-02-07T02:00:00.000-08:002016-02-07T02:00:15.383-08:00The Beach HutI've long dreamt of having my own beach hut - I'm sure a lot of us have. Now I'm known for my love of concrete and brutalism, and mid-century stuff but a pretty colourful little beach hut is equally wonderful - no? Also eminently more affordable than a flat in the Barbican...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kQaIX5hGY4g/Vq3w4naMtII/AAAAAAAAEeM/95_IOa6I3Tk/s1600/IMG_6007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kQaIX5hGY4g/Vq3w4naMtII/AAAAAAAAEeM/95_IOa6I3Tk/s640/IMG_6007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, a couple of times a year we'll be at a beach and say "Yes, let's buy one!" - although of course this is yet to happen. We calculate how many times we'd have to go to make it worthwhile - factor in how many times we could actually go (when the rain is hopefully not horizontal) and decide not to. One day though.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YLTExY1IIng/Vq3xTRQHtoI/AAAAAAAAEeU/0lFkA4JCQ10/s1600/IMG_6022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YLTExY1IIng/Vq3xTRQHtoI/AAAAAAAAEeU/0lFkA4JCQ10/s640/IMG_6022.JPG" width="634" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These pictures were taken at Lancing beach last weekend (it looks idillic but it was a tad cold and breezy - I still see myself in my hut, making a pot of tea though, no?). Lancing is my favourite beach (that we can just pop to from South London anyway) - it's nice and quiet too, so don't all rush down there at once please! Anyway, when you buy a beach hut you're basically buying the plot - and the huts only last 20 years or so (if you're lucky with all that wind and sea spray and all) - there's an annual ground rent to pay too, so it can all get a bit pricey. A girl can dream however. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0300QN6bbE/Vq3yX9_MHRI/AAAAAAAAEeo/EFQynpfXQQI/s1600/IMG_6008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0300QN6bbE/Vq3yX9_MHRI/AAAAAAAAEeo/EFQynpfXQQI/s640/IMG_6008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSuMnv03vak/Vq3yWBWnq1I/AAAAAAAAEeg/kXz7jHhMCH4/s1600/IMG_6009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSuMnv03vak/Vq3yWBWnq1I/AAAAAAAAEeg/kXz7jHhMCH4/s640/IMG_6009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you are interested in purchasing a hut (not in Lancing though please, I don't want the prices to go up...!), <a href="http://www.beach-huts.com/" target="_blank">this website</a> is rather useful. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861697479811741769noreply@blogger.com0