Manic Monday #98

 

[Image Source: Instagram]

 

Hello!

Monday is here again and we're now on to the last Monday of January, rather alarmingly. January has disappeared in a strange haze of not really getting much done, I feel like I should be doing something but I'm also really enjoying giving myself a break in the evenings as I'm learning so much on the go with my job that I feel like I would over-saturate my brain if I tried to do anything too taxing. 

 

I have taken the opportunity, this month, to pick up reading again. I finally finished Skin by Mo Hayder, which was a brilliant, captivating read and I then picked up To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, I am fully invested in it and can't wait to read it in the evening when I'm finished all the usual evening chores. 

 

 I am thinking of maybe, possibly attempting a blog post every day in February. I don't appear to have much in my calendar currently and do want to invest more time and effort in to my blog. An update is in process at the moment, a domain is bought, a design is sort of floating around and a WordPress move is imminent. I'm not sure on a date yet, I will keep you up to date as best I can!

 

The end of our lease is looming ever closer, I knew it would just appear out of nowhere which is exactly what it has done. I'm just glad that we still have 2 months as I feel quite unprepared and am planning on having a very large overhaul of possessions that are no longer used or needed.

I have a sneaky feeling this might take me a lifetime as it took me a whole day to clear out my wardrobe... 

  

I found a perfect song to relax to as I was trawling through YouTube this evening, it's a cover of Tove Lo - Talking Body by the wonderful PVRIS. I would highly recommend giving it a listen, it's a few months old but I've only just stumbled across it! I'll embed it below for your enjoyment!

 

 

Toodles!

 

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Manic Monday #97

[Image Source: Pinterest]

This evening I attended a concert of an African Chior, which my niece and her school were singing with, the children of the chior, all aged between 8-11, come from seven different countries in Africa and have either lost one or both of their parents, leaving them in a dire state poverty and without the means to have an education.

Even though these children have lost their families and have nothing to their names, their energy was absolutely incredible. They danced and sang their hearts out, seeming to appreciate and enjoy every second of performing on the stage. 

The curators behind the whole concert are two wonderful people, they want to educate children in the UK about different cultures, teaching them to accept and respect different cultures and backgrounds from all over the world.

The charity is in2cultures if you are interested in hearing their message.

The concert definitely opened my eyes and made me appreciate how lucky I am to have been born in a wealthy country, though my parents were not well off, I certainly had a much more privilaged upbringing than all of the children who danced their socks off on stage tonight.

I have been wanting to put more time and effort in to helping those less fortunate than myself, tonight has definitely fuelled that fire even further. 

Do you have any charities that you donate tome or money to? What inspired you to start? 

I'd love to hear your stories!

Toodles.

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Manic Monday #96 - The David Bowie Edition

[Image Source: Cate Parr]

My day started with the incredibly sad news of David Bowie's passing. 

Today is a sad day for British Music and it has lost one of the true British icons. If he wasn't someone you listened to regularly, I'm sure you will know of or relate to at least one of his songs. 

He was an utter innovator and huge inspiration to countless people all over the world, whether for his music, fashion, acting or him being possibly the best representation of embracing all things weird and wonderful.

He was the reason I always wanted different coloured eyes.

My mum has always been a huge fan of Bowie since she was a teen and has definitely passed it on to me. I remember being woken up most weekends with David Bowie blasting out from the living room stereo as mum danced around, cleaning as she went. Fashion features in one of my all time films, Clueless and he stars in one of my favourite films, Labyrinth.

I'm not usually one to join the masses in mourning when a star passes, but David Bowie has made such an imprint on the music I listen to and inspired me so much with everything he stood for, I definitely think he deserves this little memorial.

I'm sure he will never be forgotten.

Toodles.

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New Resolutions

• Visit more galleries and museums
  I've always enjoyed visiting galleries and museums, it was definitely one of the high points of doing numerous design courses after school. In recent years I haven't made a conscious effort to go to exhibitions that I think sound interesting or visit local museums. It is something Ben and I do a lot of when we're on holiday and I want to make it a regular thing in my everyday life.
  
• Read More
  Last year I had a slip in the amount I was reading. I am easily distracted, especially living in a house with friends, so my book count was at an all time low. I have a few books that I want to read through this year. I'm currently reading Skin by Mo Hayder which has me hooked!
  
• Type up NaNoWriMo writing
  I have started this...albeit, last year and in November. I'm such a procrastinator and the aforementioned distractions means that I am still no where near finished typing up my thousands of words I did manage to write.
  
  
• Continue with writing my book
  See above, but a different start date.
  
• Be more positive and project happiness
  I want to make more of a conscious effort to spread a little happiness in the world, especially with the current affairs. A small gesture of kindness can make someones day much brighter.
  
• Maintain a one-in-one-out rule with the wardrobe
  I managed to have a huge clear out of clothes, streamlining as much as possible but also taking in to account that I have a smart dress-code at work. I'm aiming to keep things as minimal as possible in the wardrobe department.
  Wish me luck!
  
• Stop hoarding. Clean up the non-essentials
  I really don't think this needs an explanation. Note to self; pull your finger out and get it sorted before you move!
  
• Drink more water
  Again, self-explanatory.
  
• Travel to more of Europe
  I'm unsure if our new home plans will allow for much of a holiday this year, but I still would like to plan some trips. A few long weekends away or a week away to a destination not too far from us may be more realistic and why not take advantage of that by visiting countries in the same continent as us!
  
• Enjoy England more I'm definitely a grass is always greener kinda gal, but I do know that England had some beautiful destinations and an incredibly interesting and diverse history. My wanderlust mind set often makes me forget how wonderful England can be, I need to remind myself to look in the right places again.

I think I might have enough resolutions to keep me going! As mentioned in my Monday post, I did initially blank at the prospect of setting myself some goals but once I sat down with my notebook they all suddenly popped in to my mind.

 

Have you set yourself any goals this year? Or do you not really believe in setting new resolutions for yourself?

 

Toodles.

Manic Monday #95

 [Image Source: Pinterest]

This morning marked the return to reality after the madness that is the festive period. Overdosing on food, drink and socialising can only go on for so long, right?

I definiely had a bad case of clinomania this morning, but forced myself to get up when I was on my final snooze or else I know it would have been a slippery slope kind of week.

My day was compeletly fine, it is always the thought of returning that is worse than actually returning.

I have also returned to the gym and have been 3 times in the past 5 days. I want to get back in to going at least 3-4 times a week but fell out of that cycle around October time due to illness, injuries, starting my new job and just general procrastination.

We have handed in our notice on our current rented property, which felt so good and the landlord was very lovely about us moving on and pursuing our own property.

I managed to write down some New Year's Resolutions, it surprised me how many I managed to come up with as I blanched when I first thought about it. Once I started they seemed to keep coming! I'm going to do a full post on Wednesday about them so come back for that if you wish, it will be appreciated!

Did you start back at work today? Or have you been in and out of work over the festive period?
Either way I hope you had a great Monday.

Toodles!
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2016

 [Image Source: Pinterest]

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

I hope you had a wonderful 2015 and have an amazing year throughout 2016.

We had a small celebration with a handful of friends and we missed the countdown and midnight ticking over; that seems to be a tradition for us every year.

I think a lot is going to change this year and I am very much looking forward to it.

Toodles.

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