SAD ENDINGS, HAPPY BEGINNINGS

Last week was an emotional one- filled with tearful lows and hilarious highs.

TWENTY FIFTEEN.

I was a good three-quarters of the way through today before I realised it was February! Blimey, that crept up on us a bit. I don't feel like I've even had chance to catch up with myself after Christmas (but that's probably because we have 6 birthdays in the family, including mine!)

So this weekend I felt I needed to slow down a bit and take a breath.
Follow Kerry | MerryatSeven's board :: Twenty Fifteen :: on Pinterest.

BIRTHDAY BREAK.

Last week, I celebrated my 24th birthday. I'm totally rubbish when it comes to organising a birthday event for myself. I always get a bit too stressed (more than you should on your birthday!) and then just give up.
So this year, after one of my best friends offered to plan something for me, I accepted before she even had chance to finish explaining!
She got cracking straight away and was on a pretty strict deadline. But she did an amazing job...

SEASONAL YOGA.

I first started practising yoga a few months ago and I guess I went into it very naively. I just wanted to be more flexible.
I honestly never would've imagined the affect it would have and how much of a part of my life it would become.

33/52

V Fest. My first ever festival.

Ok, so we didn't camp so it wasn't a proper festival but it was still an amazing day!

This week, was also my 'Commercial Anniversary'- a whole year working in my job.
Those feet belong to some very special people in my life and, just over a year ago, I didn't even know they existed.
It's crazy to think how much of an impact people can make on your life, in such a short space of time. 

28/52

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that myself and six friends were doing our own 'Come Dine With Me'.

Well, Thursday night it was my turn. And the finale. No pressure.

 

After just returning from a week in the South of France, I thought it would be very apt to have a French theme.

Cue my secret weapon- chilli, pecan and apricot camembert.

27/52

For the past 7 months, myself and six work colleagues have been involved in implementing a new green initiative at work.

And Friday was our official launch of what we had produced.

What better way to celebrate than strawberries and Pimms!

This also coincided with our work summer party.

 

It's crazy to think that I have been in this job for less than a year but I have met some truly wonderful people and made some lifelong friends.

 

(Now I know I didnt take this picture so it doesnt count. But I just needed to share it with you!)

25/52

 

This week I tried yoga for the first time and absolutely loved it, went on a team outing to a pub quiz and came last, and spent the longest day of the year enjoying cocktails with the girls.

24/52

For the past few weeks, myself and six friends have been doing our own Come Dine With Me.

The concept is simple- to cook a meal for your guests and entertain them for the evening (or get them moderately drunk)

This week we decided to arrive by bicycle. A great idea... until we realised how awful our hire bikes were!

20/52

 

Mr H and I took a trip to Winchcombe, a stunning Cotswold village, to broaden our house search.
Of course, we had to stop for cake first...

15/52

(Oops late again. But better late than never, I always say!)

 

Just a regular Friday evening- casually wearing a moustache and an inconveniently large sombrero, filling my face with home-made Mexican food and sipping on margaritas.

I haven't laughed that hard in a very long time.

10/52

(Oh dear. I am almost a week late with last weeks post. I need to catch up!)

 

Last weekend was spent relaxing in London with my best friends.

It may have only been for a few hours but delicious food, gorgeous sunshine and lots of laughs, all washed down with an indulgent cocktail, made for a perfect afternoon.

The kind of afternoon that's good for the soul.

9/52

 

Last week was crazily busy. Lots of girlie time with friends and family. I think Mr H was feeling a little left out.

This was the highlight of the weekend- trekking across the hills of Somerset in the sunshine.

Rehabilitate.

...to return someone or something to a good or healthy condition, state, or way of living.

 

After reading this post a few weeks ago, I was inspired to make this year a very different one.

Twenty thirteen was a wonderful year (probably the best yet), but it was also a hectic and stressful one.

 

So, my word for 2014 is Rehabilitate.

I've set myself some pretty ambitious goals for this year but all of them are about rejuvenating my life, my loves and my relationships.  

                                                                                                                               

* Explore the UK. Learn to appreciate this amazing and beautiful country we inhabit.
 

* Renovate and restore a 'house' to make it a home. Start a fresh. De-clutter and live a simpler life.

* Give myself space. Realise that it's ok to relax and have some time just for me.
 

* Cherish the time with my family and friends. I cannot take them for granted. Tell them how much I love and appreciate them.
 

* Eat better and look after my body. Breathe deeply. Laugh often. Take a yoga class. Make soup. Give Blood.

* Reignite that creative spark. Take my blog in a new direction. Be inspired and actually do something about it.

2/52

A 'healthy' lunch with a very dear friend- we always have loads to catch up on when we see each other but never enough time. She's my go-to-girl when I need some practical advice.

Guten Tag. Bonjour. Ciao.

Last weekend, my best friend and I, jumped on a plane to the land of cheese and chocolate.

Our amazingly brave friend moved to Switzerland back in February so it was about time we paid her a long overdue visit!

It was the most wonderful weekend- we were super busy and did a lot of travelling around, but I felt sooo relaxed when I got home.

Saturday began with a lazy morning, filled with tea and chatting, before we wrapped up warm and headed out to explore the Zurich Christmas market. A heady smell of melted cheese and mulled wine filled the air. Delicious.

The stalls were beautiful- I could’ve spent a fortune! After a busy day, and a sneaky hot chocolate, we headed home for cheese fondue, with our friends lovely Swiss flatmate. We drank and ate until late.

Sunday was an earlier start. After a 4 hour train journey, we arrived in Lugano- the Italian side of Switzerland. I have never been to Italy but it definitely gave me a brilliant taster of it. The air was warm and the skies clear, with some truly breath-taking views.

And then it was Monday- time to pack up to go home (sob!) but not before we ventured to the world famous onion market. Yes it was as bizarre as it sounds. Words cannot really describe the atmosphere- lots of laughing, drinking and handfuls of confetti being thrown. Just to top off the weekend, we said hello to Bern’s resident bears!

But best of all, I got to spend the weekend with my two dearest friends.

Shop Love :: Mustard & Peaches

I first met Mairi, of Mustard & Peaches, at New Designers in 2012. I was immediately struck by her passion for her craft (and her sweet Scottish accent!)
That amount of glittering jewellery in one small space was pretty overwhelming but Mairi's work seemed to yell out at me, even though her pieces were by far the most understated. Her simple display allowed her collection of beautifully delicate, yet oddly shaped, rings to really stand out. I fell in love instantly.

We kept in touch over the following months because, like me, Mairi had just graduated from university and was finding her feet in the big wide world.
One of her business ideas was to invite couples, to her cosy house tucked away in the Northern Irish countryside, to make their own wedding rings. And in February, Steve and I were invited to be the guinea pigs! (Read about our amazing adventure here)

Since then, Mairi and her husband Adam have moved to a lovely London suburb. And at the weekend, we paid her a little visit in her adorable new studio.

Honestly, I cannot speak highly enough of Mairi. The newly launched range is absolutely stunning but if you're looking for something bespoke, Mustard and Peaches is truly perfect.

November love list...

I just don't what it is about November that I love so much.
Maybe it's because there's still a tiny bit of Autumn in the air or because the nights are drawing in and there's an even better excuse to snuggle up indoors! Or maybe because it's the calm before the mad rush of Christmas.
Either way, I feel all cosy inside when I think of November, and this year, it's going to be an especially good one!

This month, I'm loving...
* This wonderfully warming soup recipe (a great way to make use of the leftover halloween pumpkin!)

* Those chilly, misty mornings

* A toasty bonfire to warm those chilly hands, whilst oo'ing and ah'ing at the fireworks

* This blanket! (I know it's everywhere but it doesn't stop me wanting to snuggle up in it!)

* Finally, I cannot wait for my trip to this lovely country to see an even lovelier person!

On being a sister.

One lazy Sunday, a couple of months back, we decided to dig out some old family videos. My nan was chief film-maker and that chunky black box would go everywhere she went.

I was eight when my baby sister was born, on Christmas eve of 1999.
Comparing us when growing up, we couldn't have been more different. She was fair and I was dark. She looked like mum and I looked like dad. She was sporty and I, well, just wasn't!

But what was clear, from those family videos, was just how much I adored her. We lost count of how many times I said, "This is L. She is my sister. And this is what she can do." She would then proceed to demonstrate her newly learnt skill; either clapping, or crawling or doing this funny little screwed up face that would have us all in stitches!

This year baby L is going to be fourteen years old. And I am so proud of everything she is.

Weekend friends.

I'm sure you'll agree that weekends are all about relaxing with your loved ones. And this weekend was extra special for me, as I went to visit my wonderful best friends.
The hours were spent giggling and eating and catching up, as we haven't seen each other since May.
They are both doing so well in their careers and I am so proud of them; B has been working in Switzerland since February and E is writing the plans to follow her dreams.

P.s. B's house deserves a 10 page spread in Country Living magazine, it is utterly stunning!