Category Archives: life

Beating the post-holiday blues

12th September 2015
Who doesn’t love going on holiday? I’m so excited for mine which is now only 8 days away (and counting!) and I just can’t wait to be on a beach, or by the sea doing nothing for 7 glorious days- and that includes blogging! The downside to going away is coming home again, especially later in the year when you’re pretty much guaranteed grey skies and a distinct chill in the air. It’s not much fun at all. Clearly the people at Jet2holidays were reading my mind as they sent over a parcel designed to help beat those pesky post-holiday blues.
This was such a thoughtful package containing moisturiser to soothe sun-frazzled skin and fake tan to keep the glow going. Sweets are always welcome in my life and these will be perfect to munch on as I upload photographs and catch up on my no doubt heaving inbox. I’ll also be treating myself to dinner at Pizza Express with the help of this voucher, ideal for catching up with my best friend over pizza and wine…

There are other ways to beat the post-holiday blues too though, things I’ve tried and succeeded with in the past include:

1. Bring back souvenirs– the tackier the better! I get so much enjoyment from the random things I’ve bought back from my travels and I make it my mission to find the cheesiest thing I can whenever I go away!

2. Create a memory jar- ages ago I picked up a huge glass jar in the sale somewhere. Anytime I go somewhere that I want to remember I pop in little items to trigger my happy memories- a train ticket, a napkin from an amazing restaurant or a business card from a hotel. I once even bought back a napkin dispenser from a cafe in Spain, that doesn’t fit in the jar but it does bring back some very happy memories!

3. Make a photo collage- as well as uploading photos to social media and my blog I tend to pick out some favourites and get them printed (you can find plenty of free print offers if you search online) and either scrapbook them mixed in with things like tickets and random finds or decorate a wall in my room with them.

4. Bring back tasty treats! I love discovering new foods/snacks when I’m away and I’m guaranteed to bring back quite a selection on my return. I keep these for day where I’m feeling a little blue before digging in and enjoying whilst browsing my photos or planning my next trip.

5. Get some sleep- I always come back from a holiday exhausted. This time I’m straight back to work pretty much the day after we land but I’ll be making sure I get in some early nights to keep myself in mentally tip-top condition. There’s nothing like exhaustion to make me grumpy.

What are some of your post-holiday blues recovery tips? I’d love to know them.

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Posted in holiday, life, life stuff

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The Autumn/Winter trouser from Luxemme

10th September 2015
It may have escaped your notice but I don’t wear trousers very often. I find shopping for them a chore, trying to find the right fit, the right length and indeed the right colour is something that I just don’t have the patience for. Still, when I saw some burgundy beauties on new fashion brand Luxemme’s website I couldn’t help but take a gamble and attempt to break away from dresses and skirts as we move in to the cooler months.

Top: Primark | Trousers c/o Luxemme (get them here) | Boots: Linzi Shoes

I just love the colour of these and the Seventies vibe which I fully intend to carry on channelling as much as possible in to the new season. Fit wise, these are pretty spot on, I could do with filling them out a bit more but the length and drape are perfect and these will be a welcome addition to both my work and play wardrobe.

As I mentioned earlier Luxemme is a brand new retailer bringing Parisian chic to our shores. They have some really lovely pieces on their site at prices that don’t leave me reeling. My trousers cost £29.00 although they feel a lot more expensive (if that makes sense!) I’ve seen some of my favourite bloggers rocking some seriously gorgeous co-ord sets as well, I think this one is lovely and only £35.00! This is a brand to keep your eye on, I hope to add some more of their pieces to my collection in the not too distant future.

Where do you shop for the perfect trousers? Are you familiar with Luxemme yet?

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Posted in brands I love, life, outfits, shopping

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On the Rocks

09th September 2015
Another one of those sort of outfit posts where I show you some more local beauty. This time at the other end of the sea front in Clevedon, having gone exploring further than the river path that runs behind Ben’s road we came across this grassy ledge and decided to climb up and check out the views before heading on to Poets Walk, a lovely and gentle 2km route visit by many a famous poet over the last several hundred years. It’s one of our favourite ways to spend a Sunday afternoon when the weather is good, and although we hadn’t set out with the intention of taking outfit photos (hence the not quite put together outfit) it was too good an opportunity to miss, those views!

Dress: H&M earlier in the year | Shoes: Converse

This dress is the ultimate weekend throw on piece and if it was still available I’d probably buy a back up I love it that much. I wouldn’t usually wear it with Converse, at least not for blog photos but as that wasn’t really our intention I hadn’t thought to take my typical brown sandals from Primark with me.

I love having these kind of locations on Ben’s doorstep, I feel a bit less in a rut when it comes to getting outfit pictures now, although my back garden is still my default. I want to spend the rest of this year working on improving all aspects of my blog and upping my game with photography is definitely a major goal- I’ve got so many blogger “how to” posts saved in my bloglovin’, I find them so useful although slightly intimidating as reading makes me feel a bit clueless when it comes to most things blogosphere and I’ve been doing it since 2009!

I hope you enjoyed seeing a bit more of the places local to me, hopefully I’ll have another pretty place to share soon!

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Posted in life, life stuff, outfits

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(Insta) life recap: 8

01st September 2015
A little late with my instagram round-up post this time round- I know, I know everyone is just so gutted! Anyway, better late than never for my fellow nosy people. If you want to see more then give me a follow on my instagram account and make sure you leave your details below!
Saying it how it is
New favourite mug
On top of a hay bale selfie, as you do
Beauty product haul!
Salad by the sea in Devon
These are pretty damn good
Space cats!
A rare couple shot.
These are heaven. So glad they are now in the UK!
Devon <3
The most random holiday souvenir ever
Latest Tsum Tsum addiiton
This one.
When I have to go to work and she does this…
Yum yum yum!
Best tee ever?
When you wake a pug from his nap!
Working from home doesn’t work
Selfies with this one.
As ever hover over the photos for the caption and click on it to see full size. Have you done an instagram post this month? Leave the link in the comments and I’ll be sure to check it out.

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Posted in instagram, life, life stuff

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#EmergencyHappiness with Viking

25th August 2015
It would be fair to say that life hasn’t been the easiest of journeys lately. Without going in to too much detail there have been some really tough times that have left me feeling a little vulnerable and in need of a boost. Enter Viking and their super-cute #EmergencyHappiness campaign, launched to coincide with World Happiness Day (check out this cute video) Viking have been sending out little boxes jam packed full of surprises to put a smile on your face and I was lucky enough to be a recipient.
The box is jam packed full of themed goodies, there’s The Tea Break for when tea and biscuits are the only cure (because when is anything not solved by a brew?). There is also The Lucky Bag with a lotto ticket (sadly not a winner), a lucky penny and some eternal happiness dust which I’m trying hard not to sprinkle everywhere just to spread some sparkly joy. The Fixer Upper was filled with some sunflower seed infused paper, some adorable plasters, a rubber and a paper clip all designed to keep you organised and on track. The Support was full of thoughtful gifts like a slate heart declaring that I rock, a note book and super cool pen, some bubbles to lift the down days and sweets for a sweet (or to induce sugar filled happiness highs). Lastly the box had added stress relief in the form of an stress ball and some bubble wrap. Perfect after a long, hard day!
Viking are inviting you to get involved by sharing what makes you happy via their twitter hashtag #EmergencyHappiness (follow them @Viking_Chat) you may even win your very own box!
Thanks Viking for putting a smile on my face, let me know what puts one on yours!

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Posted in brands I love, life, life stuff

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