3 ways to make your day brighter

There are days when life feels like it a bit heavier than the day before. There is a murkiness to the air that you can not shift.

I have three somewhat trivial tricks that seem to make those days a little brighter. 

1. Fresh flowers

I picked this up from Apartment therapy's January Cure series a few years ago. There is something about fresh flowers that perk up your surroundings and remind you of life. If you want the feeling to stay even when the flowers are not in your eyeline pick scented flowers for instance lilac, roses and jasmine. 

2. A moment of stillness

Essentially anything that gives you some mental stillness away from your worries and taking some time to switch off. Whether it is sitting with a good book and escaping, having a bubble bath, going for a coffee, meditation or going for run, this is about finding that allows you to reboot and refresh. 

3. Cooking

It doesn't have to be anything fancy but the achievement of making something from scratch bolsters my day. If your in the need of serious therapy anything chocolate will do particularly my Artisan brownies and Mama Wilson's chocolate fudge pudding. 

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Bathroom in the planning

You know how when one thing goes wrong and needs fixing and then before you know it you have drawn up a looooong list of things that could also be done at the same. Well let me introduce you to the story of my bathroom.

It started with a sporadically flushing toilet which was looked (by a semi professional) at and declared moribund. 

Then there was the crack in the pedestal of the sink that since I was getting the plumber round I might as well get them to replace the sink. 

And if I was replacing the sink then the taps on the bath should also be tightened (replaced). 

Plus the annoyingly round bath panel that you catch your foot on could be replaced with a flat one. 

The shower screen that's been on the floor should go up. 

Plus I had always planned to replace the mirror tile with a purpose cut mirror and give it a faux picture frame effect. 

Andddd breath... So that's where I am with the list. 

Well whilst I'm not the biggest fan of the White tiling the cost of removing it and plastering and then tiling is pretty painful so I am not redoing the whole bathroom instead I will be doing a refresh and update. 

I'll be sharing the images that are inspiring my plans along with a mid point review and then the big reveal once it's all been done. In the meantime here are two of my purchases as a sneak peak. 

Essentials Toilet from plumb world 

Black Hero bath mixer by Hudson Reed

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NYC planning

I have something to confess I am a bit of a list junkie. I like lists. Well actually I love lists, it's the way I give order to my dyslexic brain. Lists of tasks to be ticked off to make me feel like I've accomplished something.

However I get that whilst lists are perfect for me they are pure hell for those who know me who prefer to turn up and see how things go. 

So what happens when one list-a-holic and a list-a-phobe are due to go away? Well I decided to purposefully try not to organise to the nth degree and instead come up with less obvious ways to get into the spirit of the trip. 

Watching movies

We both picked a New York based movie to watch (Warriors and Summer of Sam) and used them for date night. We have also watched some others recently that we are counting as part of this; Birdman, and Inside Llwenyn Davies. I also rewatched Girls. 

Bought a City Pass

Neither of us wanted to spend all our time doing only touristy activities but we did want to feel that we had done the edited highlights so we bought a city pass. There are couple of different types of pass but we went for the most basic that gave us some flexibility, the website is here. 

Decided the type of trip we wanted

Both of us wanted a fairly relaxed and authentic New York experience. We want to go away feeling like we absorbed the ethos of the place rather than spending all our time with other travellers. So think Brooklyn, local eateries, comedy evenings and delis.

Did research
Well I did. I spoke to everyone to get ideas, including my hairdresser Jon, my friends, colleagues and the Internet. For instance  I found out that the last two days we are there it was Resturaunt Week and there are discounted three courses meals at top eateries. 

What we did plan
We booked evening entertainment for three of the nights we were there leaving two nights clear. This was partly because it was Valentine's when we are away and I've previously posted about that but also because we managed to get some good deals for tickets. 

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Valentine's conundrum

For some this day brings a spark of romance to the otherwise dreary month of February, giving you an excuse to celebrate or wallow. 



The only heart shaped thing I will want this Valentine's

I however am not a Valentine's person, regardless of my relationship status. The years that I do have another half I have found myself being made to feel guilty, by friends single or otherwise, into doing something valentines related. 

Then the years I have been single I have found myself subject to questions about my single status. 

That's not to say that there have not been fun valentines days. One of my favourite memories of college of law invoked my housemate and I throwing a faux romantic night for one another then splashing in puddles on the knavesmire. Or there was the year when I went to sleep whilst being serenaded via FaceTime. 

And whilst these are great memories they would still be great memories if they were connected to another day of the year.  I do not really want grand gestures because there is an expectation of one. Instead I value the smaller day to day actions that build long and lasting relationships. 

One example is how my Dad and brother bring my mum and sister in law a cup of tea whilst in bed every morning. It's part of their rituals of love that show that they care.

I am not enamoured with valentines and the boy is mentally allergic to romantic gestures and public displays of affection. Fortunately we are on the same page and have agreed that we won't do Valentines (I also don't do anniversaries mainly because I can never remember them).

So why do I have a conundrum regarding valentines this year. It's because the Boy and I got a very good deal on a stay in New York over the valentines weekend. It's fine to be a non valentines conformist at home but in a foreign city it's a bit more difficult. 

We know that we will need to have something organised to do otherwise we could end up aimlessly wondering around to find everywhere is fully booked

So what to do?

We looked into what we could do that would not be monopolised by couples, hearts and general glittery pinkness. Due to watching too many new york based movies over the years we knew that a long walk along the Hudson or through Central Park was out. As was ice skating anywhere, a concert, the opera, the ballet, booking into a foodie restaurant or finding a cocktail bar with a view.

We came up with a short list which included going to the theatre (early or child appropriate), finding a non romantic place to eat (think diner and fast food), going to a sports game, finding a gig (not a concert), picking an action movie or thriller at a cinema.

So what have we settled on? Well for that you will have to wait and see when I get back.

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Blogs: What I am reading at the moment

I do not have an official blog roll of the what I read but I do have a personal list of websites and pages that go to for a noisy. Some make me laugh, some make me think and others offer some form of inspiration.

So I thought I would share four blogs that influence me in the last six months.



Blog: Hannah Gayle

Theme: personal/lifestyle

Why Read It: Only a recent addition to my reading list but I adore her warmth, humour and the keen observations she makes. There is a vulnerability to her writing that is unusual in blogs these days. As a fellow list fan I find myself laughing at the truthful observations she makes whilst considering quite grown up themes. 

Example post: 27 things all women learn about men in their twenties

Blog: Amber Interiors

Theme: interiors with a splash of style/lifestyle

Why Read it: Anyone who secretly (and not so secretly) lusts after the soCal life style should tune into this blog for house porn. I first stubbled accross it after I realised that nearly every Pinterest pin I had for house inspiration took me to one of Amber's beautifully put together designs. Filled with top tips, inspiration and Amber's inescapable style, this blog is a breath of fresh air. Amber's aesthetic is impeccable and much copied with the most amazing use of ethnic textiles you will ever see. 

Example Post: Before & After: Dr Client Clients

Blog: Un-Fancy

Theme: minimalist wardrobe 

Why Read it: If you find yourself feeling like you have nothing to wear despite having a wardrobe full of clothes this this the blog for you. Coming from a desire not to over consume or over spend Caroline's 37 price core capsules wardrobes for each of the four seasons will encourage to fall in love with your wardrobe again. I'm taking her approach to heart but more of that later. 

Example Post: How to build a capsule Wardrobe

Blog: Smitten Kitchen

Theme: food

Why Read it: Filled with the sort of dishes that you imagine you should be able to whip up to impress your guests. From hearty cauliflower cheese and pretzel buns to sticky toffee cake and decedent hot chocolate, this website has comfort food down. When you have guests and you need inspiration over what to make this site has it covered. 

Example Post: Carrot, Cider and Olive Oil Cake

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Swinton Bivouac

For my 30th I shunned the usual night out or a week of excess for a relaxing mini break with my longest standing friends in a cabin in the woods.

I found the cabin through a website called Canopy and Stars (a recommendation from RM who used it for a Hen do) which specialises in alternative accommodation ranging from tree houses to yurts. 

Before I left the boy made me promise three things. That I would not go down any cellars, I would not pick anything up in a cellar and I would not read anything in Latin aloud. Yes he does love a horror movie or thirteen. 

Swinton Bivouac is a breath of fresh air compared the hustle and bustle of working life and it was exactly what I needed after a manic October and early November.

The Cabin we booked slept 7 and we were told that it would comfortably sleep a family with children but would be tight with all adults. I have to say that it perfectly suited us as a group but might have been tighter if our other halves had also been present taking up more space. 

Heated by a wood burning stove it was almost too warm at night despite the misty winter frosts. We surrounded ourselves with candle light (there was one solar powered light in the kitchen area) and wine and relaxed. 

The site had the sort of shabby chic Restaurant that is made for weddings and we popped there on the first night before snuggling into our bunks. 

A reasonably long walk the next day took us to Masham which retains a Victorian Christmas card charm. 

You can tell you have gone up country when there is honesty parking and hatches with eggs for purchase along the roads.

On site there is the Druid's Temple, which we wandered around taking silly photographs. 

If you are looking for a relaxing break away from distractions then I can not recommend this place enough.

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Walk the Moors

Just before we entered the New Year I went up to Ilkley Moor to have a wander and take in the views. 

It was one of those icy days were the snow was still crunching underfoot but the sky's warmth was melting the icicles away. 

We wondered up the hill towards the Bath House enjoying the views over Ilkley. 

Trying to work out which direction to take before heading accross to the Cow and Calf.

A wholesome walk where the air was fresh, the wind was brisk and you leave feeling a lot happier than you were before you arrived.  

We played with our cameras. I quite like taking "negative" pictures where the objects in the foreground become silhouettes against a vivid sky.  

There were even a few decent pictures of me (cheekily taken when I thought the background was being photographed and I wanted to get moving)

And we escaped the Moors as the sun set before heading to Ilkley for some food. 

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2015

Hello New Year

I have very little idea as to what you will bring but 2014 is kind of hard to beat so don't worry if you struggle at first.  

So what do I know about you...

• Well you come with an awful lot of confetti due to weddings galore both in the UK and abroad.
• January will be a sober affair. 
• New York is calling my name and I'm looking forward to the break. I'm getting some early by watching New York based films. 
• Work will continue to be crazy.
• The house still needs painting and organising.

I don't really do resolution but I do have intentions to live more mindfully and finish the jobs I've started and to look after myself a bit more. Simple perhaps but after the rush that was last year I feel the need to take stock and enjoy what I have. 

What about you what are you looking forward to in the year ahead? 

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