May Intentions & To Do List

I love writing these monthly to do lists for you, and I love the feedback they get too, but this month I thought I'd add a little twist. 

I've been thinking about my blog and the direction I want to take it, I mentioned in this post that I feel like I'm in a state of flux right now, so I've been reassessing my intentions for this site. I wrote a little list and I thought I'd share them with you. I love the idea of setting intentions, unlike goals or resolutions they feel so positive to me, and help me stay mindful through my every action. 

This blog shall be a documentation of my real life - as it is in this moment of time.

This blog will be a space where I can share my thoughts, feelings & opinions without feeling the need to filter. 

This blog will be a place where I can challenge myself creatively, and explore different writing styles to keep myself engaged as a writer. 

This blog will be a creative outlet that does not feel like a chore.

This blog will be an interactive community space, where I can engage with likeminded people in both friendly discussion and positive intelligent debate. 

This blog will be a happy hub of love + creativity. 

So hopefully throughout May I will be able to use these intentions to nourish and grow our little online space into something happy! 

Also on my to do list this month...

Do more, see more. Stop holing up in my flat moping. Get out, explore, take photos and embrace life again. 

Have a picnic in the park with friends. Hopefully May will see the sun arrive, and I intend to embrace that with an Instagram-as-hell picnic. Katy, Tasha - keep your eyes peeled for an invite! 

Challenge myself creatively. It's been a while since I've written anything just for the sake of writing. That needs to change! 

See my friends more. This month needs to see me catch up with Tami, Carrie & Allie. 

Rejig my capsule wardrobe - I had wanted to do this back in March but it's just been too cold! I'm excited to embrace lighter layers, and stow away my thermals!

Spring clean - our flat needs a serious sorts out! This week I'm going to empty all the cupboards and drawers in the flat, clean them all out and organise the contents. Not the most fun activity but needs doing!

Restart my yoga practice. I've been pretty sporadic with my time on the mat recently, so I need to get back into it! My yoga mat actually needs replacing so perhaps I'll treat myself to a new one to inspire me to get stretching again! 

What's on your May to do list? 

The Anti Pollution Mask

A classic tale of a casual stroll through duty free gone wrong. Why do they make it so you have to walk past all the makeup counters?! Don't they know that not all of us have self restraint?!

Curiosity got the better of me when I happened upon the new Kiehls Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Defending Masque, and I just had to give it a whirl. I was taken in by it's lofty claims as much as I was by the inclusion of Cilantro - love me some Cilantro.

This is an overnight mask, although it suggests applying generously, then dabbing off any excess after ten minutes before letting it work it's magic overnight. I've found I actually get the best experience just applying the same way I would a moisturiser. I cleanse, tone & moisturise as normal, and then go in with a layer of this before retiring to bed. It's quite thick in consistency, and a heavy hand will leave you looking a little green, but it's not sticky or uncomfortable on the skin in any way. It sinks in overnight and in the morning I see instant results.

I will always favour products that show me a quick fix and this really does - I've been using it twice a week and the result? My skin is clearer and happier, my pores are tighter, my skin feels healthier and better protected. This stuff is almost like an extra reinforcement for the skin, and my skin absolutely adores it.

Sometimes curiosity pays off! 

Reclaiming Monday

I used to love Mondays.

I'm aware that's a strange statement, but I really did. To me, Monday was a day full of hope and possibility for a great week. It was a chance to start off on the right foot, and to accomplish on a clean slate.

These days, Mondays fill me with dread. Right now, Mondays just fill me with the impending doom of another week ahead to muddle through. Mondays are the beginning of a week bound to be filled with stress and anxiety, and a never ending to do list.

Mondays don't have to be like this though, so I'm on a mission this month, to reclaim my Mondays. To bring back a little spark of joy to the early starts, and mammoth to do list. To recognise the happy moments in every Monday, no matter how small.

Things like the gentle way my Lumi lamp wakes me up. There's something very satisfied about being gently roused from sleep by the warm glow it gives - it's definitely a nicer way to start the day.

Things like a cup of hot lemon and honey tea, bought to me in bed my my long suffering boyfriend, to be enjoyed while I catch up on a night's worth of instagrams and tweets. 

Things like an early morning yoga session to wake me up from head to toe. 

Things like a nice email amongst all the work ones. 

Things like a mid afternoon coffee break with a friend. 

Things like signing off at 5pm to cook a proper dinner with Con.

Things like cosying up on the sofa to watch last night's episode of Game of Thrones.

Things like climbing into bed feeling proud of what I've accomplished during the day.

Getting through all this family stuff right now is a lot of just taking each day at a time and not looking too far ahead.

So here's the bit where I ask for your help! I'd love if you guys could help me share the Monday happiness on Instagram, by tagging your image #ReclaimYourMonday, so we can all delight in each other's happy Monday moments! 

With love, hugs and internet cookies x

Practising Self Care

One thing we all need a little more of in our lives is self care. We are quick to rush around keeping busy, but not so quick to offer ourselves the love and rest we deserve.

Right now, I'm all about grabbing moments of self care wherever possible - and I encourage you to do the same! 

Allow Yourself a Free Pass. 

To skip that night out you don't feel up to. To not feel guilty about leaving the dishes til tomorrow. To go to bed early. You deserve it. 

Stop Judging Yourself.

The past is the past, leave it be. Make positive decisions for your future, and let go of the guilt of bad decisions. Let how you proceed from this moment be what defines you.

Drink More Tea.

Not whilst staring at your phone, not whilst sat at your desk. Make yourself a cup of tea, snuggle up in your favourite spot and allow yourself the time to do nothing else.

Treat Yourself.

To a new pair of pyjamas, a cosy new blanket, or a fresh duvet set. Treat yourself to something that will enhance your relaxation time.

Try Mindful Meditation.

I always go on about Headspace but for good reason. Take ten minutes out of your day to simply be, without distraction.

Have More Baths.

Throw in a whole Lush bubble bar and go to town. 

Get Outside.

Walk your dog, your neighbours dog, or join Borrow My Doggy. Maybe this point should be called get a dog? 

Nourish Yourself.

Treat your body to something your body will enjoy. A green juice or a hearty homemade soup.

With love, hugs and internet brownies! x

Starting The Week Off Right

Monday morning is always a tough one. It doesn't seem to matter that I generally work weekends too, I still seem to feel those Monday morning blues. For me, Monday sort of sets the gauntlet for the week ahead. A good Monday sets me up for a good week, where productivity reigns and I reach Sunday feeling pretty good about my accomplishments. A bad Monday though generally means I'll reach Sunday not really sure what happened in the days between, and knowing my to do list is no shorter.

So, since that's not really the ideal situation to be in, I try my very hardest to make my Mondays a success - and these are my top tips.

Start Slow.

Starting your day off rushing around, stressing about what you need to get done is not going to do you any good at all. But starting the day in a way that puts a smile on your face? Well that will. Whether it's whipping yourself up a tasty smoothie for the commute, making time for a quick yoga sesh, or just breakfast with your OH before cracking on, always start the week with something positive.

Plan your Attack.

Not just for the day, but for the week. I use this planner from Kikki.K. to jot down major tasks and meetings that I want to achieve on each day, and then do a more detailed to do list each morning. That way, you're not stumbling into the week blind! I always try to pick more enjoyable tasks for a Monday morning, like meetings or photography sessions, saving the more boring stuff for a Tuesday when my brain's a little more awake! 

Leave the Emails.

At least until the afternoon. Emails are like a black hole, they suck you in and before you know it the day's gone. I leave my inbox til Tuesdays, tackling anything urgent after lunch on Monday if need be. Instead, pick a task that will make you feel like you've achieved something when you can tick it off your list before your lunchbreak.

Reward Yourself.

For me, half of getting through Monday is knowing it will, in fact, end. Have something good planned as a reward for when you make it to the end of the working day. A glass of wine, a bubble bath, or a meal with friends - just something to look forward to when you're tackling something tedious.

What are your tips for surviving Mondays?