Little Loves March

March is coming to an end so I thought I would share some of the little things I have enjoyed this month.  It has been an exhausting month, I think after so long of structuring our days as we choose, getting back into the school routine has been hard and with one day of term still to go, the children haven't got used to getting up early again.  Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new month and at 1.30pm, the beginning of the Easter holidays and with the new rules allowing us to meet one other family, we are excited to get out. Here are my March little Loves

Read- The Midnight Library

I had only heard good things about The Midnight library and it didn't disappoint.  Imagine if you could go back in time and change things and see how your life panned out?  It follows Nora who gets the opportunity to do just that after making the decision to end her own life.  I think we have all wondered 'what if', if we had made different decisions in the past, but sometimes taking a step back makes us realise all the promise our current lives have.  It is definitely worth a read.

Watch- Moxie

I saw the trailers for this and it looked like a brilliant easy watch.  If Cora was a few years older, I would watch it with her too.  The messages are about feminism, supporting women and calling out sexism - all things I am passionate about anyway.  It is available to watch on Netflix

Listen- I don't wanna wait 

I have finally finished watching Dawson's Creek on Netflix and it wasn't until a conversation with a friend that I realised they had used a different theme tune than the original.  I really loved the song they had been using, but for the last two episodes, they had the original 'I don't wanna wait' and I haven't been able to get it out of my head since I first heard it!

Wear- L'abu skincare

I was sent some skincare by L'abu and it is definitely helping me get back into a better skincare routine.  The oat milk cleanser is easy to use in the shower and the intense face serum feels beautiful on my skin.

Eat- cheesy wraps

Many, many years ago, I worked in Pizza Hut and for a brief period, they made cheesy wraps, just salsa and grated cheese wrapped in a tortilla and baked.  I couldn't get enough of them, but they didn't stay on the menu long so I have had to recreate them at home.  They have been my lunch of choice over March though, and probably April too.

I would love to know what has made you smile this month.

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Little Loves February

I meant to write this at the end of February but it always catches me out with only 28 days so here I am on March 1st, looking back at the little things that made me happy last month. February saw us have snow which was amazing as we rarely get it down on our little corner of the country, yet by the end of the month the sun was shining brightly and Spring was in the air.  February had two birthdays, Archie turned 8 and a week later Finn turned 6 and we made it through another month of home learning.  March holds the promise of Spring, school and a little bit more normality after an anything but normal start to the year.

Read - The Nightingale

I read more than ever in February, there were books I just couldn't put down and I found myself making more time for reading and watching less in the evenings.  My favourite book of the month was without a doubt The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.  I had been recommended this several times and I ended up buying it without even looking what it was about.  It made me feel every emotion going and left me sobbing and wanting to buy it for everyone I know.  I have recently finished another book by the same author which was also amazing.  If you haven't read it yet, add it to your list! 

Listen to - Hamilton Soundtrack

Every since Hamilton the Musical hit Disney Plus back in lockdown 1, I have been obsessed.  I loved everything about it and Lin Manuel Miranda is officially on my fantasy dinner party guest list.  The music is powerful, sing along and I listen to it on repeat.  I keep waiting to get bored of it but it hasn't happened yet.  Seeing the musical live is high on my to do list once theatres can reopen!

Watch - Dawson's Creek

I didnt watch Dawson's Creek when it first came out in the 90s so when I saw it on Netflix I thought I would give it a go.  I enjoy it but I am not loving it as much as some of the other shows from that time so it is taking me a long time to get through.

Wear - Dungarees

Dungarees have been my outfit of choice for much of the month. They are easy, comfy and perfect for wearing around the house.  My favourite pairs are from Lucy & Yak and Run & Fly.  On the coldest February days I wore them with leggings and chunky knits underneath, on the warmer ones with just a long sleeved t-shirt.

Dreaming of - Holidays in the sun

The summer is still looking uncertain to me, despite the aim of June 21st for the lifting of restrictions.  I haven't risked booking anything yet but I am dreaming of summers spent away from home, even if that means camping 30 minutes from our front door.  I want to start saving now so that if things are still looking positive in a few months time then we can book something last minute.

Eat - Hello Fresh

We were in such a rut with cooking and I think the monotony of lockdown has only emphasised the fact that we cook a limited number of meals on repeat.  We have used Hello Fresh on and off over the past few years when things get like this and it always gives us new meals, more enthusiasm for cooking and usually healthier meals than what we cook on our own! We are on week 3 now and I am looking forward to this weeks dinners! The children aren't as keen so we go for a 3 meal box and they eat separately on those 3 days.

I would love to know what has made you smile in February either as a comment below or over on social media.

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Little Loves in January

As January comes to an end (finally), I wanted to share some of my favourite things from the month.  New Years Day seems to have been months ago and isolation schooling certainly isn't making anything go faster, but there have been little things that have made the month enjoyable, from a good read to tasty snacks. Here are some of my little loves from the month.

Read - A Brief History of Seven Killings

I am hoping that by the time the month ends, I will have read 10 books, probably a record for me (apart from my Uni days).  I have tried to start the year with a real variety of authors and genres but my favourite by far has been A Brief History of Seven Killings.  Set in the Jamaican ghettos in the 1970s this book gave me an insight into a different world.  I loved the way the language was used, the characters and it is one I am keeping on the bookshelf to read again.  

Watch - Gilmore Girls

I decided to start watching Gilmore Girls from the beginning and it was a great choice.  The show is familiar, easy going and feels like coffee with an old friend.  It was the light tonic I need when the news is so dire, I could sit and colour in as I watched and I was sad when it ended.  There aren't many shows I watch more than once but I am already looking forward to the next time I start Gilmore Girls.

Wear - Owl and the Pussycat Jumper

Pyjamas have featured heavily in January's outfit of the day but when I do go out, it is all about comfort and warmth and this jumper from The Owl and the Pussycat (Pr Product) is snuggly and such a beautiful colour.  I have worn it with jeans and under dungarees as well as on top of pyjamas on a lazy day.  

Listen to - Lucas Graham

My children get a song in their heads and then listen to it on repeat for the next month.  This month was apparently the month for Lucas Graham.  I am pretty sure Archie now knows all the words to 7 Years, in fact he typed them out on his online learning instead of answering the question at one point.  If they aren't asking Alexa to play it, they are singing their own (incredibly loud) version.

Drink - Baileys Orange

I am not a big drinker, but I couldn't resist trying orange truffle flavoured Baileys and it does not disappoint.  At the end of a long day of isolation school battles, it is delicious poured over ice.

Eat - Mini Eggs Dairy Milk

It took me a long time to get hold of this after finding out about its existence.  Lockdown means less time in shops of course, but when I eventually got hold of some, I bought a few bars in anticipation of it being delicious.  It is.  I don't want to guess at how many bars I have eaten this month, but my hiding places are running low. 

I would love to hear about what has made you smile this January, either as a comment below or over on social media!

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Little Loves October

You are probably used to reading and seeing pictures of the children on here, but I want to share a bit more of myself as well so I have decided to start doing a Little Loves post, inspired by the lovely Morgana.  Every month I will share things that I have been watching, reading, listening to and wearing along with anything else I have loved.  I would love any recommendations each month too




Read

One of my friends has started a Feminist book group locally so my first book to read was actually more of an essay, called 'We should all be feminists' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.  It was a great introduction and I can't wait to see what we will be reading next month.  I have a feeling the book group may involve more wine than book chat but it is great to read something a bit different to my usual fiction.  Unfortunately I passed it on to another friend before taking a picture so here is a glimpse at the next book on my list that I am hoping to read over the next couple of weeks.

Watched

Along with everyone else on my Facebook timeline, I have been watching Killing Eve. It took me the first episode to stop picturing Eve as Christina (big Grey's Anatomy fan) but once I got past the accent change as well I loved it! The complexity of the characters and the pace of the story were a great combination and I hope there is another series soon! I also watched The Cry which finished last night and was very emotional!




Made

Well it wasn't exactly me, but we (ok Ed) has built our new bed which I love! We had a cheap freecycle bedframe before with the intention of buying a new one and we finally got round to buying one last week.  Trying to find the time and space to build it with four small children was challenging but we (he) pulled it off and mornings have only got harder since!

Wore

I have to admit I have spent more of this month than I probably should in my Lucy and Yak dungarees.  I seem to spend most of my day doing school runs and they are the comfiest things ever to wear! I need to invest in another colour to mix it up a bit! The random weather has meant sleeveless tops underneath some days and chunky jumpers on others! I also bought myself a pumpkin top from one of my favourite brands for the kids - Duns, which now does a Mama range too so I am feeling very seasonal!




Heard

This month I have been listening mostly to the Les Miserable Soundtrack.  My mum bought be tickets to see it at the theatre for my birthday and I went last week and it lived up to all my expectations.  It was the most spectacular show and I have continued listening to the soundtrack at every opportunity ever since!

I would love any recommendations for new books, series and music to listen to!

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