Dairy & Gluten Free Pancakes : No fuss breakfast wisdom

I just adore pancakes, and my must have treat when we visit Canada is going out for breakfast as often as I can persuade my husband to and indulging in a big stack, my favourite being chocolate and peanut butter chip! So it was particularly difficult on our trip back in May last year when I couldn't indulge myself because I was still breast feeding my then diary free baby, however I have been experimenting with a dairy/gluten free version at home and these ones I made a while ago got a big thumbs up not just me but from the girls too.

Pearl of Wisdom No. 85 - make morning routine.

Make. Morning. Routine.

Sounds so boring doesn't it?!

If you ask my husband about me and routine when we first met he would tell you that I would balk at the idea and do what ever I could to sabotage his attempts at getting me in to one, especially in the mornings. He however has been the master of them since the dawn of time (slight exaggeration but this man thrives on routine!) and you could set your watch by what he did and when he did it.

Pearl of Wisdom No.84 - Live like Spring

If you want a fresh, brand new, shiny feeling when you go about your days (and who doesn't want to feel this way right?) then embracing this season is the key to success!

But what exactly does it mean to live like...Spring?!

Chocolate Avocado Cookies (Diary and Gluten Free)

So here is my first Wisdom in the Kitchen recipe, I've been asked a lot for this one. I love that they taste so indulgent so you feel like you're getting a treat, they have a great soft chewy quality to them but you know that you're getting all the goodness of avocado, even my girls love them which is a massive bonus and makes for a happy mama!

Pearl of Wisdom No.83 - Making resolutions

Is January meant to be a fresh start for you or do you believe that new year, new you is a load of rubbish? Where do you stand on resolutions?

Did you know that only 8% of people who make New Years resolutions actually achieve them? However statistics also show that people who specifically make resolutions are 10 times more likely to be success at achieving their goals and plans! 

Now we're half way through this month already, it feels like January is just slipping away and February is just around the corner! For me that may be because I have a jam packed month ahead which I don't feel anywhere near prepared for, maybe for you it's because you still haven't quite settled on what you want from the year ahead. Maybe you wanted to set some intentions, focus on finding your passion or commit to something that will bring you one step closer to your goals and dreams, or maybe you don't know what you want from life this year so you wanted to spend some time mulling it all over and feeling a bit stuck - if this sounds like you then stick with me my friend!

Pearl of Wisdom No.82 - Digital Detoxing

I'm sure you've read, seen or heard about how smart phones, tablets and even too much TV is turning humanity into unsocial techno zombies who can't live with out there devices by their side right? Did you ever consider that it could also be influencing how you identified yourself with the world and the affect that has on your well being and self esteem ?

Hate Change? How to make it work for you

The secret of Change is to focus all of you not fighting the old but accepting the new - Socrates

Change is inevitable, and it can be healthy and positive depending on your view or reaction of it, but if change normally feels like your enemy rather than your best friend then maybe it's time you took a different view on your relationship with it? 

It's time to learn how to let changes in life, no matter how big or small, become something you don't mind hanging out with! Read on to discover why change can be good for you and some easy, feel good ways to let it in...

Grace + Gratitude - What I learnt from Sarah Peck

I've been wanting to write this post for ages, not because I've been asked to but because of what happened when I signed up for this course - it became such a powerful time in my life and set off a year of some really significant changes in my life, ones that were truly magical.

Feel Good Friday - feel better by serving someone else...

This weeks sees the start of December, how are you feeling about this month?

Love it, but sometimes feel drained or overwhelmed by the whole thing?

Hate it and find it a difficult time of the year to get through?

Or maybe the festive season brings about an ambivalent state of mind?

I could be wrong but Christmas and the run up to the end of year normally brings about one of these feelings in most of us, so which one do you fit under?

Steps to finding your Mojo when it's MIA!

My blogging mojo has seriously been missing lately, I've found it a bit of a struggle getting back in to the swing of planning, creating and writing for the blog, but here I am, second post of the week! (Do check out the first - this weeks Pearl of Wisdom)

With the run up to Christmas upon us and distractions a plenty like shopping, partying and deciding whether its gonna be turkey, ham or a nut loaf (this is a real life discussion in my family!) it's easy to find yourself getting off course with the things that matter to you and anything that takes you away from your passion and dreams, anything that distracts from taking care of you will leave you feeling frustrated, even down right disheartened.

So here are my top tips to getting that mojo back to the party...

Mondays Moment of Wisdom - Pearl Number 75

Hey Monday - we finally meet again!

Well I never intended to take maternity leave from the blog but it's been a intense full on couple of months, where spending time with my precious newborn and settling my big girl in to a new way of life has been my only priority. (You can read more about why here) We are kind of living day to day because family life has changed so much but I'm hoping though, that this is me, slowly getting back to a place that I love and feel so passionate about. So with my recent way of life in mind I saw this quote and knew it was perfect for my first Pearls of Wisdom post back to the blog.

Feel Good Friday - Pet Power

We are big animal lovers in our house, in fact I suspect that my husband actually prefers them to people, he can't bear to watch the ending of Marley and Me, bless him!

We have two cats which became our furs babies when I was around 6 months pregnant with LC (we had gotten a kitten the year before who was sadly ran over just before her first baby, at this point I was 16 weeks pregnant and couldn't stop crying, I actually got sent home from work and was allowed 3 days off - that's hormones for ya!) These cats (our boy cat as a kitten above) have grown up with our family and are a big part of it, however they are not such big fans of Miss LC, I can remember their little faces when we bought her home from the hospital looking at us as if t say "WTF???" God knows how they will feel when it happens all over again in 7 weeks time, the OH is convinced they'll be sat by the front door with their little cat bags packed, with a house move happening in 3 weeks too I'm sure I will have two grumpy cats on my hands - eek!

Anyway, over the last 4 years that we've had these sweet moggies in our life they have become very precious companions to us all and despite their distaste towards LC they have have been a massive part of how she has developed and learnt.

A few years ago the Cats Protection League conducted some research with the Mental Health Foundation which showed how having a cat as a pet had a significant and positive impact on the owners mental health. Last year Time magazine reported on how having a pet could possibly lower your risk of heart disease too.

Here are some more good reasons why being a pet owner is good for your well being

•  Owning a pet helps with low mood and loneliness through companionship.
•  Encourages healthy lifestyle - walking your dog, horse riding, cleaning out a cage.
•  Helps develops senses that can lower stress from stroking, walking, even talking to them! 
•  Sense of responsibility and routine, having a pet puts structure in your day, positive for your well being and sense or purpose.

Here's my friends cuddly companions

 We've also found that as parents having our two kitties has helped us to teach and encourage LC to have compassion, thoughtfulness of others and about death too. As a toddler we showed her how to pet them carefully and be mindful of their space, now that she is older we get her involved with caring for them, she likes to get involved with feeding and combing.

Lastly, because we live next door to a diary farm, we get a constant stream of "presents"! Some are alive, which sees us running round the house at all times of the day or night trying to rescue mice, voles and birds, but we also get a lot of dead critters, mostly mice outside the front door. We have always been honest with LC about it, a very wise lady once told me not to tell her they were sleeping as this can make her frightened of bed time, so with out going in to too much detail we simply told her they were dead, no longer alive. Being little she just accepted this ans so when her Grandma's dog and Auntie's cat died last year she wasn't unfamiliar with what this meant and could grasp why they were no longer there. And so when my Grandmother passed away in April she wasn't scared by what had happened and understood why she wouldn't see her again. Recently she was in my mum's garden and they found a dead bird and she pointed it out to my mum who wasn't sure quite what to say to LC, "It's dead Granny!" she chimed, my mum agreed and when LC asked her what they were going to do with it my told her that her OH would bury it in the garden to which sweet Miss LC replied "Just like we buried Great Gran!" My poor mum didn't know what to say and just laughed, especially as my Grandmother was cremated! It just goes to show though that by having animals in our life from an early age we begin to understand and accept the cycle of life sooner which I think makes it more easier to handle as we grow older.

Now you could be reading this and be thinking "Well Karen that's all lovely and good but I don't have the time/money/space to be a pet owner!" - well, no problem, borrow a pet! You can do this through local services like this one  or this could simply be taking a friends dog for a walk, agreeing to feed Great Aunt Ethels budgie while she's on holiday or maybe spend some time at your local animal rescue centre as a volunteer, there are so many possibilities for you to boost your well being with some pet power!

So I want to know, do you have a pet that helps boost your well being?
What are your thoughts on pets and children?
Would borrowing a pet help you?

Share in the comments below!

A Wednesday Pearl of Wisdom - Pearl Number 74

I know, it's a Wednesday but this post was too good to save until next week and I'm aware of the lack of Pearls on the blog lately so decided to share this with you today...

I was totally spoilt for choice when looking for a quote to match up with today's theme but decided this one from John Holmes was my favourite to use here, simple but powerful.

So I'm going to tell you a little story, a lovely lady who is in my blogging circle of friends had her second baby last year and has spent the following 12 months enjoying every single moment spent at home with her two little ones, her youngest has just turned one years old and the time to return to work has come round quicker than she expected.

We had spoken a few times leading up to this about how she was feeling as her return to the working world was parallel to my exit as my maternity leave started. Becca has been dreading this moment for a while and mentioned how she wished she could remain at home with the kids and have her blog as her main source of work (BTW check her out at Keeping Up with the Joneses this is the cutest lifestyle blog full of family, fashion and beauty!). I always love reading Becca's posts and often ask her advice on beauty products, and have always encouraged her to go for her dreams too as I know it would mean so much to her to spend her days investing in two of the things she is most passionate about, her babies and her blog.

So the dreaded day came for her on Monday and as I checked my Instagram feed that morning I came across a gorgeous picture of her baby boy with a caption about how much she would miss him and how sad she was feeling, I know this feeling well as I have already done it once when I had Miss LC and I sent her a simple message just to cheer her up and hoped it might help her a little.

Photo from Becca Galanopoulos

Later in the evening I returned back to Instagram and found another picture from Becca with the loveliest message for me underneath, Becca had written down my words and taken them with her, she told me it had really helped her to keep things in perspective and reminded her what she was trying to achieve, it had helped her get through that first awful day!

I was really blown away by this, never did I expect that what I had written would make such a big impact and I was thrilled to know that I had made her day a bit easier and lighter, such a simple message but what an amazing difference it went on to have...

I have been reading a lot lately about a certain line of thought and it goes like this, to serve others is the greatest gift you can give to the world and will make the biggest difference to those around you, I believe in this so much and love seeing it in action, knowing that my words had made her day lighter and more bearable was magic!

Now maybe it's just coincidence but I had my own Instagram magic moment this morning where someone has reached out to me and offered their own kindness because of a picture posted there, this only goes to reinforce to me that the vibes you put out there and the energy you want to feel will always come back to you if you support others in the same way.

So this week, how could you make a difference to someone else in need with a simple word or thought? Could you reach out to another to help them over come a hurdle, not for your gain but to simple make their day better? Maybe you have a story you could share here? I would love to read them!

Feel Good Friday - The sugar challenge.

Last Saturday we got back from our holiday in Italy, feeling exhausted and sluggish on the Sunday from too much delicious Italian treats I decided to set myself a challenge for the week to see if I could reduce my sugar intake, I also wanted to try to limit the rest of the family too and my OH got right on board, we had seen a lot of unwanted behaviour from Miss LC whilst away and thought maybe it was connected to how much sugar/additives she had over indulged in.

So, we swapped treats for healthy snacks for LC (there was some slight protest from her but she did like her alternatives also!) and my OH has given up his daily dose of the purple chocolate and and decided to only have a few beers at the weekend - yay a positive start from the family! I also decided to gently reduce my intake each day without going too overboard and record my progress in a journal and on Instagram.

By actually recording what I did and how I felt I've been able to really reflect on how I've managed, measure my progress and commit to myself in making a difference, I gave myself no set goals or outcomes, only to do my best in giving up sugar and make a real effort to reduce my intake. I have also found some great resources to help in the way of blogs, websites and recipes, take a look...

Sarah Wilson's website - I Quit Sugar

This fab YouTube clip from Gabrielle Bernstein about changing your diet.

A great article from Women's Health website on cutting back added sugar.

Kate Harris lovely Blog - Kate Quits Sugar
I'm also going to invest in James Duigan's Clean and Lean Pregnancy Guide as a long term maintenance tool/resource to keep me fit and healthy for the rest of my pregnancy and beyond, let me know if you have read it too! 

I still have a few days left on my challenge, I'm off to Blognix with my gorgeous friend Gemma from Mission 2 Mum tomorrow and I'm not sure how well I will hold up on this challenge, especially with a promise of bake off's and cocktail tasting but I'm determined to not go too overboard, let's see how I get on! 

So do you fancy challenging yourself to make a difference?

What would you do to help stay on track? 

Do share any thoughts or tips below! 

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....

Feel Good Friday - Something for the Weekend

Have things just got really busy for you? Well they certainly have for us!

This weekend sees our little family indulging in more Christmas festivities, a few more bits and bobs to buy and a big family get together to switch on LC's Granddad's Christmas lights - the whole village turns up, we have mince pies and mulled cider (we live in Somerset!) and raise money for the local hospice, it's fun and nice way to catch up with everyone! Plus all the usual weekend stuff of laundry, ironing, cleaning and getting read for the coming week, the Other Half has to cram in some study somewhere and I have some baking to do to, phew I'm exhausted just thinking about it all...

But if your having a chilled one this weekend here are some bits that you might enjoy!

Going to a Christmas market this weekend? We are visiting the one in Bath.

This photographers project celebrates women being first...

More on photography as this talented lady gives tips on how to shoot picutre at night, perfect for outdoor festive celebrations like the ones we have this weekend! (Thanks Michelle!)

Although Christmas will soon be here you still have time to give back to those around you and in your community and spread some seasonal love and joy, here is some inspiration to get you started from The Shine Project, Lululemon, Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar
Noticed all the Grace and Gratitude talk from me lately? Here's why it's shinning bright for me right now!

Happy Friday peeps, now it's your turn to tell what your weekend plans are below...

5 Ways to get through Christmas graciously...

So there is no escaping it now, it's December and the month of Christmas is finally here! 

I've been noticing a lot lately how many people are not over joyed at this prospect and I understand that for many Christmas can be a difficult and emotional time, so if you are feeling more "Bah-Humbug" than "Tis the season to be jolly" here are some ways to put a little bit of grace into the impending festivities...

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” - Plato

• No one of knows truly what others are thinking or feeling this holiday season, although some people might put on a happy face they may be feeling very sad or low inside, showing some kindness, even if you don't agree or understand their ideas, don't like how they behave or what they say, will go along way. If someone you know is having a tough time, give them slack, maybe it's your generosity in love that will make the difference?

“No one has ever become poor by giving.”- Anne Frank

• This doesn't necessarily mean spending loads of money on others, being lavish or breaking the bank, instead let it mean giving of spirit and compassion instead, bringing joy and happiness. Sounds a bit airy fairy I know but at this time of year we focus a lot on what we have to buy and the money side of things, I wonder if we could all think of ways to give that didn't cost a penny? Maybe making something with a personal touch or  take some time to give your services to other, local homeless centre or pet shelter, maybe you could buy a small gift for a child in hospital or at a refuge..?

“No one is more insufferable than he who lacks basic courtesy.”  - Bryant McGill

• OK, OK, I know this is a tough one, especially if you have to spend the day with an in-law you can't stand, your crazy great aunt or suffer the annoying boss at your Christmas party! Remember you get what you give out or another way to put it, treat others the way you would want to be treated. I'm not suggesting you be a door mat and let others speak to you or treat you like dirt, I'm suggesting you practice the art of being the bigger person, if another wants to act in a bitter or negative manner let that be their problem, not yours!

  “All the statistics in the world can't measure the warmth of a smile.” - Chris Hart

• So true, a smile goes along way, you can never underestimate the power of it. At this time of the year everybody gets wrapped up in their busy Christmas plans, rushing about and being caught up in what they are doing, spread some cheer about, smile at someone each day that you wouldn't normally smile at, you never know it could make them want to pass that smile on...

“Though sympathy alone can't alter facts, it can help to make them more bearable." 

- Bram Stoker

•  I have already touch on this above, people have a hard time at this time of year, you may know some one who has lost someone they loved, been made redundant, suffered a trauma or is experiencing depression, reaching out to them may not change how they feel but will help make the situation easier to bear, remember to let others experience Christmas in a way that makes them comfortable.

As a side note I have noticed already there is a lot of negativity about Christmas around, this makes me so sad, it seems that people will always choose to celebrate the season in a different way to others and I wonder if we could try to just be happy for them and the fun they are having, the traditions they keep and the way they do things, even if it is different to our ways, even if we don't agree, because who are we to say that anything is wrong, different strokes for different folks and all that.

This year we have done the decorations on the 1st, the elf thing and the hand drawn Christmas cards by LC, and we are doing these things for us, because it makes our family happy, because we have had a shitty year and by getting a bit crazy and excited for Christmas it helps to be grateful for the things we do have, you know focusing on the positive rather than the negative. We don't do it out of guilt or one up man-ship, we do it because that is what we want for our family, if other people are doing it, great! If they are not, OK! So before I start to pass comment on how another person is or isn't celebrating Christmas I will remind myself to stop, take a moment and be happy for them that they are doing what feels right for them, because I don't know their circumstances and I don't get the whole picture from making assumptions, maybe they have had a shitty year like me too and are celebrating or not celebrating right now because of that. And if they are having an Christmas extravaganza for one up man-ship, to portray an image, because they feel guilty or like they have too then I would like to be gracious enough not to spend too much time dwelling on it and focus on what makes my family happy instead. Why can't people just be happy and accepting for others instead, why all the bad feeling? - Anyway just my thoughts...

Organising me....

I always feel better when I organise myself, my life runs smoother, my family get more attention, I'm more creative and feel instantly happier. Making an effort to organise myself makes a huge difference, one I'm starting to take note of and make an effort to do, week on week out.

For me a paper diary is the best tool, I get buzz out of writing it all down, plans, ideas, lists and events, it seems to sink in more. My OH has often in the past encouraged me to use the calendar and to do list on my phone but to me it doesn't feel the same as having a solid diary in my hand.

Being organised with groceries and menus, exercise and activities, chores, errands and work just makes sense, I've had to try out a few different methods to find a system that works for me but I'm almost there now. As a child and definitely as a teenager my mother will tell you I was the most disorganised person going, looking back now I just don't think I had thought of finding a way that worked for me, especially as I grew older, and now that I do, it's so good!

Are your organised or spur of the moment kinda gal?

What helps you get your "thing" together?

Do share tips, ideas and thoughts below! 

Monday's Moments of Wisdom - Pearl Number 58

I came across this quote again at the weekend, it's one of my favourites!

Last week felt like a bit of a start to a journey for me, I can't really tell you why but something in me just clicked, all I can say is that I feel like I a have a bright light inside of me glowing outwards and it feels amazing - for once I feel completely uplifted and full of joy - about everything and anything!

Though people around me are a bit surprised to hear this, after months of battling with my emotions it feels like I'm on top of it all a bit! Some days it's brighter than others but it just feels like a relief to feel good about life, myself and the future...

I can't guarentee them or myself how long this will last, a while I hope, it doesn't feel like it's going away anytime soon. I think it has come from months of really working hard on how I feel and what I can do to keep myself lifted and moving forward, I wasn't sure I was making progress but in the last week I've had a chance to really reflect on the last year and I've realised how far I've come in the last 12 months despite A LOT of adversity and now I see that those dark and negative experiences can only make myself and my life better and more richer in the long run.

It's helped to have a few good people around me, supporting me and believing that at some point I would find this place, so this week I have made a step, quite a big step actually in really loving who I am and my world around me and I am so excited to see what this new journey has in store for me...

Taking steps to start a new journey can be hard, what helps to make this possible? What hurdles need to be overcome and what expectations are there? Knowing what drives you really helps I think! 

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...