Beating those post holiday blues.

 If you're like me a holiday away from your everyday life is something to revel in and completely embrace - change of scene, food, weather and routine really is an adventure for me, I love experiencing the new and the different and I love broadening my horizons. However when it's time to come home I'm often struck down with the holiday blues and struggle to get back to real life and my everyday again.

This week we're away it Italy on our annual family holiday, a bit of baby-moon for us before we become a family of four. I know despite how much fun we will have I'll come back at the weekend and be as blue as the sky by the time I sit down to the laptop Monday morning, I can guarantee you this slump will last best part of the week too.

So with this in mind I'm thinking ahead and getting prepared and making myself a comfort list of things to help me beat those post holiday blues...

Picture Perfect

We always take hundreds of pictures on holiday and then get home and do nothing with them! This time I'm gonna break that habit and spend time organising them and printing out a few of my favourites to display around the house, I'm hoping this will help me keep that holiday feeling long after it ends.

Indulge in my post holiday body

I love the glow my body has after a break away and god knows this pregnant mama needs a bit of a body boost right now! I'm planning to make that glow last a long as possible this time by keeping my skin and hair well hydrated after a week of sun and treating myself to some indulgent products to slather on. I think a nice manicure/pedicure in a bright summer colour will help to keep me feeling lively also. The time I spend investing me will also help me feel more relaxed also indulging in some space each day to devote to me will hopefully feel like I'm back at the spa!

Being a book worm

One thing myself and the OH have always done when we go away is take a pile of books, pre children we would get through 4 or 5 on holiday, now we're lucky if we get through 2. However we take turns to have time to ourselves to read a little and I have to admit I probably get a bit more than him as he spends a good proportion of our holidays in the pool with LC, they live to swim on holiday! So anyway my goal this year is to keep up my reading habit, it's slipped loads lately and I still have my stack of books on the bedside table from the beginning of the year! I'm going make time each week to have some space to read and focus on books that keep me energised and uplifted (do recommend any you think are a good read at the bottom of this post!).

Catch my dreams

Whenever I'm away I always get inspired by my new surroundings, I'll get a taste of how I want my life to be or a feel of what I want to do or achieve in the future. I'm making note of all these ideas, hopes and feelings when they happen by having a notebook with me whilst we visit and explore Rome, I'm capturing these with pictures if I can and collecting tokens that I find that represent them too. When I get home I intend to organise, collect and write down all these things and turn them in to a step by step planner for me on how to keep my dream and goals alive, a go to book or journal of what I can do or change to incorporate these feelings in to my lifer hat I can keep reading and be invigorate and motivated by.

And that's it these are my tips, ideas and comfort list of things I can do to stop the holidays blues from creeping in, I intend to follow up at some point and let you know how I get on. If you have anymore tips or ideas I can use do share in the comment section below....

Monday's Moment of Wisdom - Pearl Number 59

LC making her wish with Daddy

“Creating means living.” ― Dejan Stojanovic

This last week I have really gotten stuck into some Christmas planning, I was trying to resist it but it really is quite hard to avoid now, it amazes me how much Christmas is already in our faces, through adverts, shops and supermarkets and people putting up decorations already - what's that all about?

This year seems the first time that LC really gets what's going on, I have to admit I am starting to let the Christmas wash over me too. I've started buying gifts, planning activities and looking through decoration bits making sure everything is how it should be, I want this year to be full of excitement for our family and it's starting to look good already.

The one thing I love about this season, that I have fond memories from the past of, is the traditions that get created with the festivities, we had some in my family when I was younger and I know the OH's family did too, for example his mum makes her home-made Christmas pudding every year and everyone in the family has a go at stirring the mixture and making a wish and ever since we have been together I have been able to join in this tradition and now LC is doing it too.

We have also talked about creating some traditions for our little family and this year we going to start doing the Elf on the Shelf for LC, you can find out more about this sweet little idea at the Elf on a Shelf website, it's a great way for building excitement for children but also teaching them to be patient. We also do stockings and have buck fizz and croissant for breakfast too, these are a few things we have included over the years and I know there will be more to come.

The great thing about Christmas is this, it can be what ever you want to create - this time of the year can be so stressful, upsetting, anxious and lonely for a lot of people and the pressure of it all can have such a negative impact on our lives in many, many ways. Whether you are on your own, with family, friends or work colleagues, you can make it want you want it to be, you can create the Christmas you hoped for. It doesn't have to be grand, expensive or all consuming, if you've had a bad year and experienced something that may change how you feel about Christmas or the sheer intenseness brings on a sense of feeling low and in despair then it just simply be something you get through, make the best of in a way that's comfortable or use as a time to reflect, it can look, be and feel how ever you want. 

So this year, no matter what your situation is, what can you do to create the Christmas you want?

What new tradition can you start for your family, friends or just for you that might bring you a festive glow?

How can you make this Christmas one that you feel at ease with, one that may give you the slightest glimmer of joy?

It would be lovely to read about your Christmas traditions or how you create that festive spirit for yourself, or maybe you would like to share what parts you find difficult, do write a comment below...

Feel Good Friday...What I'm doing more of this month.

Following on from Wednesday's post, I am starting to think more about what I want to put my time and energies in to this month to make the most of it and feel good about myself. Now that our crazy time is over, obligations to others have come to an end and we can finally breathe a sigh of relief that we can slow down again I'm really wanting to spend November doing some things that I love.

Reading...

I'm always making promises to myself to read more, my husband will tell you of his despair at my ever growing pile of books on my bedside table, now that I do have a bit more time for me again I definitely want to invest it in reading books, my two must reads are Blog Inc by Joy Cho - I'm sure some of you who are bloggers may have already read or heard about this book, if not, do check it out, it's simply brilliant! I'm also going to be reading Stay Calm and Content No Matter What Life Throws at You by Cat Williams look out for a review coming soon on the blog.

Drinking Hot Chocolate...

This time of the year really makes me feel like indulging in some comfort and Hot Chocolate is a big one for me! This year LC has also gotten a taste for it and loves hers with all the trimmings of whipped cream and marshmallows, we even sprinkle chocolate on the top, so delicious! 

This week I came across an amazing blog post at Cashmere and Cupcakes her recipes for homemade Hot Chocolate and marshmallows looks to die for and I'll certainly be giving it go myself.

Cosy nights in and date nights out...

Since the OH has been away in Germany on business for the last 9 days and then our trip to Edinburgh before hand we have gotten behind on our favourite TV programmes so Im looking forward to a lot of catch up TV whole snuggled on the sofa with him, with glass of wine in hand!  

Although we've had numerous weddings over the last few months, it doesn't seem like we have had much exclusive couple time together, our trip last week was fun and it was great being just the two of us but we spent a lot of time rushing about catching planes and doing touristy things, truth be told we didn't get much time to wind down just the two of us so a few date nights to look forward to is just the remedy for this - I'm thinking a trip to the movies and dinner at one of our favourite hang outs, perfect!

Planning for Christmas...

Yes I said it - the "C" word! Now that Halloween is over I can finally turn my attention to the festive season although I am resisting it a little. We have had a few conversations about our plans this year, what we want to buy for LC and each other and I have booked tickets to the Panto (LC's first ever!) and Breakfast with Santa! My mum and I have decided to do a present shopping day together and hopefully get it all done in one lot but there is still so much to think about so I'm sure in the next few weeks I will get out a pen and paper and write out a good old fashioned to do list. Lovely Laura at My Pollyanna has also been thinking about Christmas planning this month, head on over to see what's at the top of her list.

So there it is, my top priorities for the coming weeks, I hope I've given you a bit of inspiration?

I'd love to know what's on your reading pile this month or maybe you could recommend a great date night movie. Do you have a winning Hot Chocolate combo you want to share or maybe some great tips on being organised through the Christmas season, if so do share in the comments bellow...

Make this Autumn a great one...

So it's safe to say we are well in to the new season! Halloween has passed, so has Bonfire night, Christmas may be on your mind now (maybe not?) and it's definitely time to brake out the winter woollies!

It's also a time when the winter blues can set in a bit, the festive season sometimes keeps our spirit up until January but if you are bah humbug about it all then you may already be feeling you mood dropping along with the temperatures...

So here I have put together some ideas about how to keep those spirits lifted through this season and in to the next!

Eat for Mind, Body and Soul

Last week we were carving pumpkins like everyone else and I was determined not to waste anything!

So we roasted seed by removing most of the flesh and blotting with paper towel, set them out on a baking try with a sprinkle of salt and cinnamon and put them in the oven for about 15 minutes, until they were a golden brown, let me tell you they were delicious, what a great snack too! I have a great Flapjack recipe here which I used pumpkin seeds in, it's a family favourite.

With the flesh I boiled it up in a big sauce pan with some carrots and a bit of vegetable stock, then I blended adding some tomato paste and creme freche for taste, eat with some crusty bread - a perfect autumnal lunch to warm and comfort you.

These next few months brings us many great seasonal goodies to try, learn a new recipe and experiment with, munching on as much fruit and veg as you can get your hand on will keep away the winter bugs too!

Do something different

The change in weather may see you becoming more of a home body, hibernating from the cold air and the dark evenings, this can lead to you being stuck on the sofa eating left over Halloween candy or mince pies and not feeling great about your life and a bit stagnated, so why don't you mix things up a little?

This week I came across a great idea from a lady who felt a bit bored with her life but knew she couldn't just drop it all due to the normal responsibilities and pressure of every day life so instead she decided to do one new thing a month and boy did she do some amazing things! Get inspired and read more about her adventures on her blog Mrs Ayla's Adventures.

So even though the year is nearly out you can still start planning some new things for the autumn/winter months, is there anything new you'd like to try or place you want to visit? Maybe there is class you have always wanted to take or event you want to go to? Is it your dream to fly to Lapland at Christmas or attend a lavish New Years ball in a stunning floor length gown? Ok well maybe they are  on my list of new things to do but you get the picture right?

Cosy up together! 

You may have seen me write this before but one of my favourite things about the darker evenings is cosying up with my little family and having some down time together and we have been making late Sunday afternoons movie time! LC is old enough now to sit down and really understand and enjoy films and we have been watching some good ones, we get snugly under blankets and indulge in a few treats its nice to just slow down and enjoy being together.

Having a family ritual is really exciting and fun to do, you may have young or older children and start something new with them, anything you can do as a family, feeding the ducks on a Saturday morning  for instance. You may be single or a couple and start a weekend ritual with your parents like meeting at the pub for a pint and a roast dinner or you could plan to meet up with your siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews at the cinema or start a family bowling league, even hot chocolate and skating at the ice rink, what ever you fancy! Go on start a new family tradition this weekend!

Minding yourself

One of my latest discoveries is mindfulness, it's been helping me to manage these last couple of months of ups and downs and allowed me to discover so much about myself, how I think and what really matters to me, I am definitely feeling more present in my life now. Learning to be in the moment instead of worrying about the past or present can really help balance out your mood and general wellbeing.

A great website that I have discovered lately is bemindful.co.uk - go and see what you think!
Another great website is Head Space - they have a great meditation app that I love using too!

I'd love to know more about what you're getting up to this season, how do you plan to get through the chilly and damp months ahead? Any great ideas or tips to share? Do leave me a comment below!

True Love Tuesday

This weekend was really special for our family, the whole of my husbands side of the family came together to celebrate his sisters wedding and little miss LC was a bridesmaid! She was so well behaved and the most sweetest as she walked down the isle, posed for pictures and danced the night away, we were incredibly proud of her and she was so thrilled to be asked to be a bridesmaid for her auntie who is also one of her godmothers so it was a very precious day for her.

My SIL was beautiful and elegant and I couldn't stop crying at everything, the cake, the decorations, I cried when I first saw her walk down the stairs in her gown, when they all walked down the isle, when they took their vows and when the have LC and the other bridesmaid their gifts, I even cried when I wrote out their wedding card, I'm such a sucker for love and romance!

For me the occasion was even more enjoyable because my in laws are big on family, they cherish the time they have together and all love each others company especially because they don't all get a chance to be together in one room that often and we all spent the whole weekend just having fun, laughing, eating and drink while the kids ran around and danced together, it felt effortless and relaxing to be a part of it all! 

Myself and my OH also got a chance to have our first dance as a married couple which was a happy moment for me, I'm not sure he was that thrilled but he was very sweet and gentlemanly and indulged me, he made an effort for me to do something out of his comfort zone and put my desires ahead of his own, I adore him for knowing all the little things that are meaningful to me but also for deciding to not let them pass me by, for being responsible for them and investing in my happiness, he reminds me that relationships are some times give and some times take and when you make the effort to find some kind of balance then any relationship can be magic!

Feel Good Friday - What's making me feel good this week!

It's been a crazy week! Lots and lots to celebrate - with my birthday and LC's Birthday, a Hen Party way up north and my SIL's wedding this weekend I haven't had much of a chance to get stuck in to my fertility plan but I have been good and cutting down on gluten and dairy - well apart from the big ice cream sundae I indulged in on my Birthday!

This week we have also spent lots of time with friends and some much needed family time which has been wonderful and we'll be enjoying more of this at the weekend when my OH's family all come together for the big wedding! Having so many people around me in these last few weeks has really helped when I've had a bit of dip, knowing that I have those people to turn to, be open with and grab a hug from just reinforces how important it's it to have a great network of supportive people around and not only for the bad times but to make celebrating the good times even better! I have this great affirmation as a screen saver on my iPad - surround yourself with people who will only lift you higher - I love this!

Happy Weekend Everybody!